Work out what care at home is likely to cost each week and month anywhere in England, with local rates for West Sussex and London. Choose the type of care, adjust the hours, and see a typical 2026 price range, then what help could reduce it.
Indicative 2026 ranges. England figures are a typical range (the Lottie Care Index puts the median hourly rate at £33.49 in Q3 2026); local figures come from our West Sussex and London cost guides. Weekend and bank holiday rates are often higher, and short visits can cost more per hour. Attendance Allowance (£76.70 or £114.60 a week, not means-tested) can help pay; check what else applies with our funding checker. Figures are a guide only and subject to change.
How the estimate works
Visiting care is priced by the hour, so the calculator multiplies your hours by typical agency rates: across England most agencies charge £26 to £38 an hour (about £32 to £34 is typical), with £28 to £38 in West Sussex and £30 to £40 in London. Sleeping nights, where a carer sleeps in and can be woken, typically cost £210 to £260 a night in West Sussex and £190 to £230 in London. Waking nights cost more because the carer is awake and working all night. Live-in care is usually charged by the week: about £1,540 to £1,610 on average in England, £1,400 to £1,700 or more in West Sussex and £1,300 to £1,800 in London for one person.
Once care is needed for many hours a day or overnight, live-in care often works out cheaper than hourly visits. See 24-hour care at home for a full comparison.
Help with the cost
- Attendance Allowance: £76.70 or £114.60 a week in 2026/27, not means-tested. See our Attendance Allowance guide.
- Council funding: for care at home the value of the home is ignored; savings above £23,250 usually mean paying the full cost. See the financial assessment.
- NHS Continuing Healthcare: pays the full cost when needs are mainly health needs, and is not means-tested. See NHS Continuing Healthcare at home.
The Care Panel is an independent publication. We are not a care provider. Figures are indicative 2026 ranges and subject to change; always ask providers for a written quote.