How much does home care cost in England?

Typical hourly rates for 2026, what pushes the price up, how live-in care compares with a care home, and how to read a rate card.

Hourly visiting care

Privately funded home care in England typically costs £28 to £38 an hour in 2026, with London and the South East at the top of that range. The Homecare Association calculates that an agency needs at least £32.14 an hour (2025-26) to pay carers properly and meet its legal obligations, so be wary of rates far below that. Evenings, weekends and bank holidays often carry a premium of 25 to 50 per cent.

Minimum visits and travel

Most agencies set a minimum visit of 30 minutes, some 45 or 60. A 30-minute visit is usually charged at around 60 per cent of the hourly rate rather than half. Ask whether travel time is included and whether there is a charge for a carer being on call.

Live-in care

Live-in care, where a carer lives in the home, typically costs £1,300 to £1,900 a week for one person, more for couples or complex needs. That is similar to or above the average residential care home fee, but it keeps someone at home and the cost is for the household, not per person.

What a week might cost

• Two 30-minute visits a day, seven days: about £280 to £360 a week
• Three one-hour visits a day, seven days: about £600 to £800 a week
• Live-in care: £1,300 to £1,900 a week

Will the council pay?

If the person's savings and assets (excluding their home, for home care) are under £23,250, the council may pay some or all of the cost after a care needs assessment and a financial assessment. Councils pay agencies less than private rates, which is why some agencies limit council-funded work. See how home care is paid for.

Published 2026-11-05. General information, not advice about an individual's care or finances; figures are national and change yearly.