For most families, cost is one of the first and biggest questions when looking into care, and rightly so. It's a significant commitment, and you want to be sure it's sustainable for the long term. The trouble is, when you start searching online, you're met with a confusing range of figures and very little explanation of what actually sits behind them.

At Edyn, we speak with families about the cost of care every single day, so we know how bewildering it can feel. This guide is here to clear things up: what live-in care typically costs across the UK in 2026, how it compares to a care home, what shapes the price, and how our own pricing works. Our aim is simple: to help you feel informed and confident, not overwhelmed.

How much does live-in care cost in 2026?

Across the UK, live-in care generally costs between £1,200 and £1,600 per week for someone with fairly straightforward needs, with the full range stretching higher for more complex care. That works out to roughly £180 to £215 a day for round-the-clock, one-to-one support in the comfort of someone's own home.

Where you land within that range depends on a handful of factors (more on those below), but the headline point is this: you're paying for dedicated, personal support from a carer who lives with your loved one and gets to know them properly.

The myth that care homes are cheaper

It's one of the most common assumptions families arrive with: that a care home must be the more affordable option. In most cases, that simply isn't true.

Residential care homes in 2026 frequently charge similar or higher weekly fees than live-in care, and the gap widens further for couples. Because a single live-in carer can often support two people for one fee, a couple can stay together in their own home for roughly the cost of a single care home place, rather than paying for two separate rooms.

There's also the question of what's included. With a care home, it's always worth asking exactly what the weekly fee covers, as "extras" like outings, hairdressing or certain activities are often charged on top and can add up considerably over a year. With live-in care, the fee goes entirely towards your loved one's own personalised support.

And of course, the real value of live-in care isn't only financial. It's staying in familiar surroundings, keeping your own routines, sleeping in your own bed, and receiving one-to-one attention from a carer who knows you, things that are hard to put a price on.

What affects the cost of live-in care?

No two care packages are quite the same, because no two people are. The main things that influence the weekly cost are:

The level of care needed. Someone who mainly needs companionship and a little help around the home will sit at the lower end. Someone with advanced dementia, complex medical needs, or significant mobility support will sit higher, as this calls for more specialist skills and training.

Night-time support. A carer who occasionally helps once or twice in the night is different from one who needs to be awake and active throughout it. More intensive night-time care typically increases the cost.

Care for one person or a couple. Supporting two people costs a little more than one, but, as above, far less than two separate care arrangements.

Optional extras. Things like having a carer who can drive, or help managing a household food budget, can be added to suit your family's needs.

How Edyn's pricing works

We believe in clear, honest pricing. To make things simple, we group our care into three tiers, depending on the level of support required. Our Care Advisors and Care Managers work through this with you, so you only ever pay for the care your family actually needs.

Tier 1: Standard live-in care. For those who need some support with daily tasks such as household help, assistance around the home, companionship, medication support, personal hygiene, and occasional light night-time help. From £1,245 per week for one person, or £1,800 per week for a couple.

Tier 2: Specialist live-in care. For those with conditions such as dementia or Parkinson's, or needs such as catheter, stoma or PEG care, hoisting (where one carer can manage it), and support with more challenging situations. From £1,495 per week for one person, or £2,000 per week for a couple.

Tier 3: Advanced live-in care. For those needing significant, continuous and specialist support throughout the day, including complex one-to-one care, hoisting that requires more than one person, and help with severely challenging needs. From £1,745 per week for one person, or £2,250 per week for a couple.

Optional extras

You can also tailor your package with a few additional services:

• Carer with a car or driving licence: £40 to £80 per week
• Spousal support (where the carer also helps another resident with light domestic duties): £100 per week
• Managed food budget (where we help manage the carer's daily food budget): £50 per week

The best way to find out exactly where you'd sit is a quick chat with one of our team, who can talk through your situation and prepare a tailored quote.

Could you get help with the cost?

Live-in care doesn't always have to be paid for entirely out of your own pocket, and it's well worth checking what support might be available before assuming you'll self-fund. A few routes to explore:

• Local authority funding. If your assets fall below £23,250, your council may contribute towards the cost of care following an assessment. Crucially, the value of your own home is not counted in this assessment when you receive care at home, which can make a real difference to whether you qualify.
• NHS Continuing Healthcare. For those with significant health needs, the NHS may fund care in full. It isn't means-tested, though the eligibility bar is high.
• Attendance Allowance. A non-means-tested benefit for people over State Pension age who need help with personal care, which can be put towards your costs.

You can read more in our guides to state and local authority funding and self-funding care, and our Family Care Advisors are always happy to help you understand which options might apply.

Let's talk it through

Understanding the cost of care is about more than a single weekly figure, it's about finding the right level of support at a price that works for your family, for the long term. That's exactly the kind of conversation our team has every day, and there's never any pressure or obligation.

Book a free family care advice call, or give us a ring on 020 3970 9900. We'll help you understand your options and find the way forward that's right for you.