How Much Does a Nursing Home Cost in the UK? 2026 Fees by Region
In short: across the 882 care homes on AskBart that offer nursing care and publish a weekly fee, the typical (median) fee is £1,319 a week, about £68,600 a year. Fees range from about £1,123 a week in the North West to around £1,450 in London and Scotland. The NHS pays towards the nursing part of the cost for eligible residents, whoever pays the rest.
Fees by region
| Region | Typical weekly fee | Middle half of homes | Homes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scotland | £1,458 | £1,212 to £1,678 | 83 |
| London | £1,450 | £1,250 to £1,705 | 87 |
| East of England | £1,426 | £1,206 to £1,538 | 92 |
| South East | £1,422 | £1,259 to £1,570 | 228 |
| South West | £1,345 | £1,195 to £1,450 | 116 |
| West Midlands | £1,195 | £1,030 to £1,350 | 83 |
| Yorkshire and the Humber | £1,142 | £989 to £1,331 | 40 |
| East Midlands | £1,138 | £995 to £1,344 | 44 |
| North West | £1,123 | £999 to £1,300 | 65 |
| UK | £1,319 | £1,150 to £1,504 | 882 |
"Typical" is the median: half the homes charge more and half charge less. The "middle half" is the range for the middle 50% of homes.
What councils pay
Councils usually pay less than the fees homes charge people paying for themselves. In England, councils' average rates for nursing care in 2025-26 had a median of about £1,068 a week (government figures, provisional). If you choose a home that costs more than the council will pay, someone may be asked to pay a top-up.
Help towards the cost
- NHS-funded nursing care (England): the NHS pays £267.68 a week (2026/27) towards nursing care, direct to the home, for residents assessed as needing care from a registered nurse, whoever pays the rest. Ask the home whether its quoted fee is before or after this payment.
- Scotland: £117.10 a week for nursing care and £260.30 for personal care (2026/27) is paid towards the fees for those assessed as needing it, whatever their savings.
- Northern Ireland: the Health and Social Care Trust pays £100 a week towards the nursing part of care.
- NHS Continuing Healthcare: if someone's needs are mainly health needs, the NHS pays for all their care. Read NHS Continuing Healthcare explained.
- The council: in England, if savings and other capital are below £23,250 (2026/27), the council will usually help with the rest. Check where you stand.
Related guides
- Nursing Homes for MS, Huntington's and Other Complex Conditions
- CQC Ratings Explained: What Outstanding, Good, Requires Improvement and Inadequate Mean
- Residential vs Nursing Dementia Care: Which Does Your Parent Need?
- How Much Does Dementia Care Cost in the UK? 2026 Fees by Region
Frequently asked questions
How much does a nursing home cost per week in the UK?
Across 882 UK care homes offering nursing care that publish a fee on AskBart, the typical weekly fee is £1,319 (October 2026), about £68,600 a year.
Where are nursing homes most expensive?
In Scotland, London and the South and East of England, where typical fees are around £1,420 to £1,460 a week.
Does the NHS pay towards nursing home fees?
Yes, in part. In England the NHS pays £267.68 a week (2026/27) towards the nursing part of care for eligible residents. If someone qualifies for NHS Continuing Healthcare, the NHS pays for all of their care.
Is a nursing home more expensive than a residential care home?
Usually. Nursing homes always have a qualified nurse on duty. In England, councils' median rate for 2025-26 was about £1,068 a week for nursing care compared with about £962 for residential care.
Sources
Find nursing homes
- Nursing homes in Greater London (193)
- Nursing homes in Surrey (84)
- Nursing homes in Hampshire (83)
- Nursing homes in West Yorkshire (77)
- Nursing homes in Kent (74)
More in Nursing care guides
Sources
- Market Sustainability and Improvement Fund: care provider fees 2025 to 2026 (GOV.UK) (gov.uk)
- NHS-funded nursing care rate 2026 to 2027 (GOV.UK) (gov.uk)
Further reading
Keep reading
Residential vs Nursing Home: What’s the Difference? (2026)
Residential care and nursing care aren't the same thing, and mixing them up can lead to the wrong home or an unwelcome bill. Here's how to tell which one you or your relative actually need.
CQC Ratings Explained: What Outstanding, Good, Requires Improvement and Inadequate Mean (2026)
What the four CQC ratings mean, what "Requires improvement" means for a care home, how often homes are inspected, and how CQC's approach is changing in 2026.
Nursing Homes for MS, Huntington's and Other Complex Conditions (2026)
How to find a care home that can meet the needs of someone with multiple sclerosis, Huntington's disease, motor neurone disease or another complex neurological condition, and how it is paid for.
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