Live-in care costs at a glance (2026)

Type of care	Weekly cost	Daily equivalent
Standard live-in care	£1,200–£1,750	£170–£250
Complex / specialist live-in care	£1,400–£2,150	£200–£300

Based on our review of published prices and direct enquiries with UK live-in care providers in 2026. Prices are indicative and will vary according to care needs, location and provider.

What’s included in the weekly cost?

Unlike hourly care, where you pay for each visit, live-in care is priced as a single weekly rate that covers having a carer in the home continuously. However, it’s important to understand exactly what is included when comparing providers, as the headline weekly price may not tell the whole story.

Live-in care will typically include:

• A dedicated carer living in your loved one’s home and providing support throughout the day
• Personal care such as washing, dressing and toileting
• Medication management and prompting
• Meal preparation, cooking and nutrition support
• Mobility support and fall prevention
• Light household tasks
• Companionship and support with hobbies and activities
• Local travel and errands, shopping trips or social outings
• Reassurance overnight, with occasional assistance where agreed

What might cost extra?

• The carer’s food costs, arranged as a separate weekly contribution, typically £40–£60
• Mileage and travel expenses if the carer uses their own car for errands or appointments
• Bank holidays
• Frequent night-time support or waking-night care
• Short-term or respite bookings, which can cost more than ongoing care
• Specialist equipment, such as hoists, profiling beds or mobility aids
• Additional carers, if two people are required for certain moving and handling tasks

Specialist clinical tasks, such as injections or complex wound care, may also require separate arrangements.

What affects the cost of live-in care?

Several factors influence what you’ll pay for live-in care. Understanding these helps you budget accurately and ask the right questions when comparing options.

Level and complexity of care

Someone who primarily needs companionship, meal preparation and help with everyday routines will generally pay less than someone with more complex needs.

Advanced dementia, Parkinson’s, post-stroke care, significant mobility needs or challenging behaviour may require a carer with greater experience or specialist training, which can increase the cost.

Night-time needs

Standard live-in care assumes that the carer will normally be able to sleep at night, although occasional assistance can usually be agreed.

If someone regularly wakes during the night and requires active support, a waking-night carer or additional care may be needed. This can significantly increase the overall cost.

Carer experience and qualifications

Carers with more years of experience, specialist training (such as dementia care certification), or nursing backgrounds typically charge more, reflecting both their expertise and the complexity of cases they’re able to support.

Location

Live-in care prices can vary around the country. Costs tend to be higher in London and the South East, reflecting local wages, living costs and demand for experienced carers.

The type of care provider you choose

The way a care provider operates can have a significant effect on the price you pay.

A traditional fully managed care agency employs its carers and is responsible for management, supervision, rotas and employment costs. These additional overheads are reflected in the weekly fee.

TrustonTap connects families directly with vetted, self-employed carers. This model has lower overheads, which can enable carers to earn a good rate while families often pay considerably less overall.

Short-term versus ongoing care

Short-term live-in care — perhaps following a hospital stay or to provide respite for a family carer — can cost more per week than an ongoing arrangement because of the flexibility required.

Caring for a couple

Live-in care for two people will usually cost more than care for one person, depending on the level of support each person requires. However, it can be particularly cost-effective for couples because one live-in arrangement may support both people, whereas residential care homes charge separately for each person.

Is live-in care the same as 24-hour care?

Not quite. A live-in carer lives in the home and provides support throughout the day, but also needs regular breaks and time to sleep at night.

If someone needs frequent help throughout the night, additional waking-night care may be required, which will increase the overall cost. Continuous day-and-night care may require more than one carer.

Live-in care vs a care home — which costs more?

On a weekly basis, live-in care and a residential care home are broadly comparable in cost for most people. However, care home costs vary considerably by location and are typically higher in the South East.

	Live-in care	Residential care home
Standard weekly cost	£1,200–£1,750	£1,300–£1,700 (South East)
Complex care weekly cost	£1,400–£2,000	£1,400–£2,000+ (nursing)
Accommodation	Stays in own home	Included in weekly fee
Property retained?	Yes	May be taken into account when assessing how care is funded
One dedicated carer?	Yes	Care provided by a shared staff team

For couples, live-in care can be particularly cost-effective because one carer may be able to support both people at home, whereas care home fees are charged separately for each person.

Live-in care vs hourly visiting care

For people who need support for several hours a day, or multiple visits, live-in care often works out more cost-effective than hourly care. Our hourly care is typically charged at £22–£32 per hour, so four visits a day, seven days a week, can add up to a similar or higher cost than live-in care — while live-in care provides continuous presence rather than a series of separate visits.

Hourly care tends to make more financial sense for people who need lower levels of support. Live-in care becomes the more cost-effective option once someone needs support across most of the day, or around-the-clock reassurance.

Can I get help with the cost?

Most families fund live-in care privately, at least to begin with. However, there are several sources of financial support worth exploring.

Local authority (council) funding

Following a care needs assessment and financial assessment, your loved one may be entitled to financial support from their local council. The amount depends on their income, savings and how their property is assessed.

Attendance Allowance

Attendance Allowance is a tax-free, non-means-tested benefit for people over State Pension age who need help with personal care. In 2026/27 it is worth £76.70 per week (lower rate) or £114.60 per week (higher rate) and can be used towards the cost of live-in care.

NHS Continuing Healthcare (CHC)

If your loved one’s primary care needs are health-related rather than social, they may qualify for NHS Continuing Healthcare — meaning their care, including live-in care at home, is funded in full by the NHS.

Personal Independence Payment (PIP)

For people under State Pension age with a long-term health condition or disability, the daily living component of PIP can help contribute towards the cost of care at home.

What should I ask when comparing live-in care prices?

Weekly prices can look very different between providers, so it’s important to compare like with like.

Before choosing live-in care, ask:

• What exactly is included in the weekly fee?
• Are there additional charges for food, mileage or travel?
• Are bank holidays charged at a higher rate?
• What happens if the carer needs a break or holiday?
• How much night-time support is included?
• What happens to the price if care needs become more complex?
• Are there joining, arrangement or ongoing management fees?
• What is the notice period if the arrangement needs to end?

A lower headline price isn’t necessarily better value if significant additional costs are added later.

What does TrustonTap charge for live-in care?

TrustonTap is an introductory agency, which means we connect you directly with experienced, self-employed carers in your local area. Our carers typically charge between £1,200 and £1,500 per week for live-in care. Short-term or respite care (under six weeks) is priced slightly higher, reflecting the more flexible booking pattern.

One of the biggest advantages is continuity of care. Rather than care being provided by a changing rota of people, you choose your carer and, wherever possible, have the same person providing your care. This can be particularly important for someone living with dementia or anyone who finds change unsettling.

Our lower-overhead model also helps keep the overall cost of care competitive, while enabling experienced carers to earn a good rate.

You can see our full live-in care pricing on our pricing page or call us on 0808 278 1112 for a free, no-obligation conversation about what live-in care could cost for your family.

What about notice periods?

For ongoing care arrangements of six weeks or more, either you or your carer can normally end the placement by giving 14 days’ notice. A shorter notice arrangement may apply during the first week while everyone settles into the new arrangement.

For short-term care of under six weeks, the booking ends on the agreed date. If the booking is ended early, the remaining booked period will be chargeable.

Frequently asked questions