How much does a residential care home cost?
A residential care home in England costs a self-funder around £1,292 a week, or about £67,184 a year. Councils pay homes roughly £916 a week. It is the most common type of care home and costs less than a nursing home because there are no on-site nurses.
What residential care includes
Residential care covers a private or shared room, all meals, help with everyday tasks like washing, dressing and medication, and 24-hour care staff. It suits someone who can no longer manage safely at home but does not need regular care from a registered nurse. If medical needs grow, a move to nursing care, or nursing support brought into the home, may be needed.
What the price does and does not cover
The weekly fee usually includes accommodation, food, heating, laundry and personal care. Extras such as hairdressing, chiropody, outings and some therapies are often charged on top. Always ask a home for a written breakdown of what is and is not included before you commit, and check whether the fee is fixed or reviewed each year.
Residential care costs by region
| Region | You pay (self-funder) | Council pays |
|---|---|---|
| South West | £1,476 | £1,047 |
| South East | £1,433 | £1,016 |
| London | £1,371 | £972 |
| East of England | £1,355 | £961 |
| North East | £1,282 | £909 |
| East Midlands | £1,270 | £901 |
| West Midlands | £1,203 | £853 |
| Yorkshire and The Humber | £1,190 | £844 |
| North West | £1,127 | £799 |
| England average | £1,292 | £916 |
Care cost estimator
Not counting your home for now.
Estimated weekly cost
About £67,184/year. The council pays providers about £916/week for the same care; self-funders typically pay more.
You would usually pay the full fees
Your capital is above the £23,250 upper limit, so in England the council does not normally contribute toward care home fees until your assets fall below it.
At this cost, £40,000 of savings would cover roughly 7 months of fees before reaching the £23,250 threshold.
Estimate only, for England. Self-funder figures are based on the council rate plus the average premium self-funders pay; actual prices vary by home. This is research, not financial advice. Speak to your local council or an independent financial adviser before deciding.
Getting help with the cost
Whether the council contributes depends on the means test: above £23,250 in capital you usually pay in full, below £14,250 the council funds your care. If you own your home it normally counts, unless a partner still lives there, though it is disregarded for the first 12 weeks. See how to pay for a care home or costs in your area.
Figures are estimates for England based on official council data plus the average self-funder premium. This is research, not financial advice.