How much does care cost in the UK? We’ve pulled together the latest figures for home care, live-in care and care homes — with a full regional breakdown — so you can plan with realistic numbers. Updated for 2026.
Home care (visiting care)
Home care is charged by the hour. Age UK quotes a typical rate of around £25 an hour, while the Homecare Association’s recommended minimum price for 2025/26 is £32.14 an hour in England (£32.88 Scotland, £33.90 Wales). Short visits often cost more per hour, and London/South East rates run higher.
| Support level | Rough weekly cost |
|---|---|
| One 1-hour visit a day | £175–£225 |
| Two visits a day | £350–£450 |
| Four visits a day | £800–£1,200+ |
Sources: Age UK (paying for care); Homecare Association Minimum Price for Homecare 2025/26.
Live-in care
There’s no official national average, but live-in care agencies typically quote £1,200–£1,600 a week for one person, rising with complexity. For a couple, one carer can often support both for only a few hundred pounds more — frequently cheaper than two care-home places.
Care homes — by region
The UK average self-funder fee is about £1,298 a week for residential care (≈£67,500 a year) and £1,535 for nursing care (≈£79,800 a year). Costs are highest in London and lowest in the North East.
| Region | Residential / wk | Nursing / wk |
|---|---|---|
| London | £1,548 | £1,759 |
| South East | £1,446 | £1,706 |
| Scotland | £1,539 | £1,646 |
| East of England | £1,359 | £1,606 |
| South West | £1,339 | £1,595 |
| West Midlands | £1,202 | £1,426 |
| East Midlands | £1,197 | £1,380 |
| Yorkshire & the Humber | £1,170 | £1,422 |
| Wales | £1,156 | £1,394 |
| North West | £1,143 | £1,422 |
| North East | £1,112 | £1,264 |
Source: carehome.co.uk self-funder fee data, 2025. Figures are averages — individual homes vary.
Dementia care
Specialist dementia care costs a little more: about £1,343 a week residential (≈£69,800/yr) and £1,564 a week nursing (≈£81,300/yr).
Yearly cost at a glance
| Care type | Per week | Per year |
|---|---|---|
| Home care (1 visit/day) | ~£200 | ~£10,400 |
| Live-in care | ~£1,200–£1,600 | ~£62,000–£83,000 |
| Residential care home | £1,298 | £67,496 |
| Nursing home | £1,535 | £79,820 |
What affects the cost?
- Location — London and the South East are the most expensive.
- Level of need — nursing and dementia care cost more than residential.
- Funding status — self-funders typically pay more than council-funded residents in the same home.
- Room and facilities — en-suite and newer homes command higher fees.
Figures are the latest available averages and indicative ranges (2025–2026) and will change over time; individual quotes vary. General information, not financial advice. Last updated June 2026.