There is no single price for a care-home place. Fees vary depending on location, the type and level of care required, whether nursing support is needed, the room and facilities provided and the individual care home.
According to recent data, the average weekly self-funded fee across the UK is approximately:
| Type of care | Average weekly fee | Approximate annual cost |
|---|---|---|
| Residential care | £1,298 | £67,496 |
| Nursing care | £1,535 | £79,820 |
These are UK averages for self-funding residents and should be treated as a guide rather than a quotation. Actual fees can be significantly higher or lower.
Care-home fees also change over time, so always request an up-to-date written quotation from any home you are considering.
What affects the cost of a care home?
Several factors can influence the amount you pay.
Residential or nursing care
Residential homes provide accommodation, personal care and everyday support.
Nursing homes provide these services alongside nursing care from registered nurses, which is one reason fees tend to be higher.
The appropriate setting should be based on the person’s assessed needs rather than price alone.
Location
Care-home costs vary considerably across the UK. Property prices, staffing costs and local market conditions can all affect fees, meaning a national average may not accurately reflect costs in your area.
Level of care required
Someone who needs greater assistance with mobility, personal care or supervision may pay a different rate from someone with lower support needs.
Specialist dementia care, one-to-one support or more complex health needs can also affect fees.
Room, facilities and additional charges
Room size, en-suite facilities and other features may influence the weekly rate.
Some services may also be charged separately, including hairdressing, chiropody, trips or other personal expenses.
Before agreeing to a placement, ask for a written breakdown of what the regular fee includes, which services cost extra and how future fee increases will be communicated.
What is normally included?
Care-home fees generally include accommodation, meals and the care agreed as part of the resident’s placement, but arrangements vary between providers.
When comparing homes, check whether the quoted price includes:
- Accommodation and meals
- Personal care
- Laundry
- Activities
- Nursing care where applicable
- Specialist or one-to-one support
- Additional personal services
A clear written breakdown makes it easier to compare different homes fairly.
Do I have to pay for my own care home?
This depends on your care needs, finances and where you live.
Funding rules differ across the UK. Prestige Nursing & Care operates across England and Scotland, so the information below focuses on those two nations.
Care-home funding in England
If your local council agrees that you have eligible care needs, it can carry out a financial assessment.
For 2026/27, the capital limits in England remain:
- More than £23,250: you will generally fund your own care
- £14,250 to £23,250: you may receive council support but contribute from income and capital
- Below £14,250: you will not normally contribute from capital, although income may still be considered
The amount you personally contribute depends on your individual financial assessment.
Does the value of my home count?
In England, your property may be included in a financial assessment if you permanently move into a care home.
However, there are exceptions. Your home is not included when you receive care in your own property or enter a care home temporarily, and it may be disregarded where certain qualifying people continue to live there.
Families should seek individual advice before making significant decisions about property or care funding.
What happened to the £86,000 care cap?
The proposed £86,000 lifetime cap on eligible personal care costs did not come into effect in October 2025.
The planned reforms were not taken forward, and England’s upper and lower capital limits remain £23,250 and £14,250 for 2026/27.
NHS care funding
Some people may qualify for NHS support with care costs.
NHS Continuing Healthcare can fund the complete agreed care package for adults with substantial ongoing healthcare needs. Eligibility is based on health needs rather than finances.
Someone who does not qualify for Continuing Healthcare but needs registered nursing care in a nursing home may qualify for NHS-funded nursing care.
From 1 April 2026, the standard rate in England is £267.68 per week, paid directly by the NHS to the nursing home.
Ask the home how this contribution is reflected in the fee you personally pay.
Care-home funding in Scotland
Care-home funding works differently in Scotland.
From 6 April 2026, the capital limits are:
- £36,750 upper capital limit
- £22,750 lower capital limit
Someone above the upper limit will generally pay their own care-home fees, while people below this level may receive support depending on their financial assessment.
Scotland also provides payments towards personal and nursing care for eligible adults in care homes.
From April 2026, the weekly rates are £260.30 for personal care and an additional £117.10 for nursing care where required.
Self-funding a care home
If your assets are above the relevant threshold, you may need to meet the full cost of care yourself.
At current UK averages, £1,298 per week amounts to almost £67,500 a year, while £1,535 per week is close to £80,000.
When planning, consider not only the current fee but possible future increases and how long your savings could sustain the cost.
For major decisions involving property, investments, savings or financial products, consider seeking regulated independent financial advice.
Can care-home fees increase?
Providers may review fees because of changes in staffing costs, operating costs or the resident’s care needs.
Before choosing a home, ask:
- How often are fees reviewed?
- How much notice is given before an increase?
- Can fees rise if care needs change?
- Are specialist services charged separately?
- What happens if the resident can no longer afford to self-fund?
These arrangements should be clearly explained in the contract.
Care home costs versus care at home
Care homes and homecare work differently, so comparing headline prices alone can be misleading.
A care-home fee combines accommodation and care within a residential setting.
With homecare, you remain in your own property and pay for the support you need there.
Someone requiring only a few visits each day may need fewer paid care hours than someone living in residential care. However, a person requiring continuous, overnight or highly complex support may need a much more substantial homecare package.
Neither option is therefore automatically cheaper.
The comparison should consider:
- The person’s care needs
- Number of care hours required
- Existing household costs
- Accommodation
- Independence and lifestyle
- Home environment
- Personal preferences
Questions to ask before choosing a care home
Before committing to a placement, ask for clear answers to questions such as:
- What is the weekly fee for this room?
- What care and services are included?
- How often are fees reviewed?
- How is NHS-funded nursing care treated?
- What happens during a hospital stay?
- What happens if personal funds fall below the council threshold?
Ask for the answers in writing and read the full contract before agreeing to the placement.
Considering care at home?
A care home is only one way of receiving ongoing support.
For people who want to remain in familiar surroundings, homecare can range from occasional visiting care to personal care, overnight and live-in support and more substantial care packages.
If you’re considering homecare rather than residential care, contact your local Prestige Nursing & Care team and tell us a little about the support you are looking for. We can explain the options available and discuss the next steps for assessing your individual care needs.
From there, we can develop a care arrangement based around your routines, priorities and the level of assistance you require.
Care home cost frequently asked questions
How much is a care home per week in the UK?
According to carehome.co.uk’s July 2026 figures, the average self-funded residential care-home fee is approximately £1,298 per week, while nursing care averages £1,535 per week.
Why are nursing homes more expensive?
Nursing homes employ registered nurses in addition to providing accommodation, personal care and everyday support, so fees are generally higher.
Do I have to sell my house to pay for care?
It depends. In England, a property may be considered in a financial assessment for permanent residential care, but there are circumstances where it must be disregarded. Seek individual advice before selling property to fund care.
Is a care home cheaper than homecare?
Not necessarily. Homecare costs depend on the amount and complexity of support required, while care-home fees include accommodation as well as care. The most appropriate comparison is based on individual needs and total costs.
How do I find out how much homecare costs?
Prestige Nursing & Care bases homecare costs on an individual assessment, including the type of support required, number of hours and frequency of visits. Following assessment, the team can provide a breakdown of the proposed care package.
