Care Home Costs by Region

Finding the right care home is one of the most important decisions a family will make. Understanding the costs involved is essential — and where you live can make a significant difference to what you pay.

This guide sets out average weekly care home fees across England's regions, based on 2025 data from Laing Buisson via PayingForCare.org, to help families plan and budget with confidence.

Why Care Home Costs Vary So Much

Care home fees are not set nationally. Each home sets its own rates based on local property costs, staffing levels, the type of care provided, and the quality of facilities on offer. Regional averages give a useful benchmark, but individual homes within a region can vary considerably above or below these figures.

The type of care needed also has a significant impact. Nursing care, which requires qualified nurses on site at all times, costs considerably more than residential care. Dementia care typically falls between the two.

Average Weekly Care Home Fees by Region (2026)

The Most and Least Expensive Regions

The South East is the most expensive region for care, with average residential fees of £1,243 per week — that is £64,636 per year. London is close behind at £1,189 per week.

At the other end of the scale, the North West offers the lowest average residential fees at £881 per week, roughly £45,812 per year. Families in the North East pay a similar amount at £896 per week.

The gap between the cheapest and most expensive regions for residential care is £362 per week — nearly £18,800 per year. For nursing care, that gap widens to £415 per week.

Annual Cost Estimates

To put these figures in context, here is what the annual cost of care looks like across regions:

What Is Included in the Weekly Fee?

Most care home fees cover accommodation, meals, personal care, and basic activities. However, what is and is not included varies between homes. Some common extras that may not be covered include:

• Hairdressing and personal grooming
• Specialist therapies such as physiotherapy or chiropody
• Telephone and internet access
• Transport to medical appointments
• Top-up fees if the home charges above the local authority rate

Always ask for a full breakdown of what the weekly fee includes before signing any contract.

How Scotland Compares

Scotland does not currently publish equivalent regional pricing data, but care home fees in Scotland are generally considered to be lower on average than in the South East and London, and broadly comparable to the Northern English regions. The Scottish Government provides some funding support through free personal and nursing care for those who qualify, which can reduce the amount families pay directly.

What Affects the Cost of an Individual Home?

Regional averages are a starting point, but individual home fees depend on several factors:

• Room size and type -- en-suite rooms typically cost more than standard rooms
• Setting -- purpose-built modern homes often charge more than converted properties
• Location within a region -- a home in central London will cost more than one on the outskirts
• CQC rating -- Outstanding-rated homes often charge a premium
• Specialist care -- homes with expertise in dementia or nursing care charge accordingly

Tips for Managing Care Home Costs

• Get a financial assessment -- your local council can assess whether your relative qualifies for funding support
• Ask about NHS Continuing Healthcare -- if care needs are primarily health-related, the NHS may fund all costs with no means test
• Compare multiple homes -- fees vary significantly even within the same town
• Check what is included -- a lower headline fee may hide extra charges
• Ask about fee increases -- most homes increase fees annually; check what the contract says about notice periods and caps

Use Our Care Cost Estimator

Every area page on CareHomeGuide includes a Care Cost Estimator showing average weekly and annual fees for that region. See an example here or visit your local area page to see what families near you are typically paying.