Care home costs in Essex
Weekly fees for 2026, from the homes that publish them. Updated as homes confirm their prices.
There are 406 care homes registered with the CQC in Essex, East of England. 28 have a weekly fee on record with us, each dated and traced to where it came from.
The typical residential care home fee in Essex is £1,400 a week, about £72,800 a year. The middle half of homes charge between £1,000 and £1,550. That is about 5% more than the East of England average of £1,329. That is about 8% more than the England figure of £1,300.
Nursing homes charge more because registered nurses are on site. Across the East of England the typical nursing fee is £1,552 a week. The NHS pays a weekly contribution towards the nursing part of the fee, direct to the home. Dementia care in Essex is typically £1,400 a week.
Of the homes with a published fee, Blenheim Care Home in Walton-on-the-Naze is the least expensive at £950 a week and Riverdale Care Home in Braintree the most at £1,750. A gap that size within one council area is normal: the room, the building and whether nursing is included all move the price.
Compare with a live-in carer at home through PrimeCarers
About £72,800 a year
For a couple, two places: £2,800 a week
Nursing care: £1,552 a week in the East of England
A live-in carer, at homeThe typical live-in carer near Essex, set by the carer
Staying at home could cost about £280 a week less, £14,560 over a year
A couple can share one carer, about £1,355 a week, £1,445 a week less than two places.
PrimeCarers runs this site. Carers on it are self-employed and set their own rates. Every carer has had an enhanced DBS check in the last 18 months, ID and right-to-work checks and an online interview. Their skills and training are for you to check with them.
Least expensive care homes in Essex
| Care home | Town | CQC | From, a week | vs typical |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A live-in carer at home, PrimeCarers For comparison. One carer can look after a couple | Near Essex | Not a care home | £1,120 | 20% below |
| Blenheim Care Home Dementia | Walton-on-the-Naze | CQC: Requires improvement | £950 | 32% below |
| Belamacanda | Clacton-on-Sea | CQC: Good | £1,000 | 29% below |
| Boucherne Limited | Maldon | CQC: Good | £1,000 | 29% below |
| Maitland House | Clacton-on-Sea | CQC: Good | £1,000 | 29% below |
| Mid Meadows | Frinton-on-Sea | CQC: Good | £1,000 | 29% below |
| Mistley Manor Dementia | Manningtree | CQC: Good | £1,000 | 29% below |
| Spring Lodge | Clacton-on-Sea | CQC: Good | £1,000 | 29% below |
| Valentine House Dementia | Witham | CQC: Good | £1,000 | 29% below |
Most expensive care homes in Essex
| Care home | Town | CQC | From, a week | vs typical |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Riverdale Care Home Nursing · Dementia | Braintree | CQC: Good | £1,750 | 25% above |
| Glendale Residential Care Home Dementia | Dunmow | CQC: Good | £1,700 | 21% above |
| Kinglea Court Dementia | London | CQC: Not yet rated | £1,695 | 21% above |
| Dudbrook House Dementia | Brentwood | CQC: Good | £1,610 | 15% above |
| Larchwood Care Home Dementia | Braintree | CQC: Good | £1,595 | 14% above |
| Heron Court Dementia | Brentwood | CQC: Good | £1,550 | 11% above |
| Frank Foster House Dementia | Theydon Bois | CQC: Requires improvement | £1,550 | 11% above |
| Hawthorn Bungalow Dementia | Brentwood | CQC: Good | £1,540 | 10% above |
“From” is the lowest weekly figure the home has published or confirmed to us, dated on each home’s page. Homes that add or correct a fee appear here within the day.
How Essex compares with nearby areas
What the fee includes
A care home fee in Essex normally covers the room, meals, laundry, heating and personal care. Nursing homes add care from registered nurses. Hairdressing, chiropody, trips out, newspapers and some toiletries are usually charged on top, so ask for the list of extras before you sign.
Larger rooms, en suites and garden views cost more. Fees are reviewed once a year, usually in April; ask what last year’s increase was.
Who pays in Essex
If you have more than £23,250 in savings and assets you will normally pay the full fee yourself. Below that, Essex council assesses what you can contribute. The value of your home counts unless a partner or certain relatives still live there.
If you need nursing care the NHS pays a weekly contribution direct to the home. People with very high health needs may qualify for NHS Continuing Healthcare, which covers the whole fee.
Full guides: who pays, and when the council helps, NHS funded nursing care and Continuing Healthcare.
Care home or live-in care in Essex?
A live-in carer through PrimeCarers typically costs £1,120 a week near Essex for one person and the same carer can look after a couple. The typical residential fee in Essex is £1,400 a week per person, so for a couple live-in care is usually far cheaper than two care home places. Complex live-in care, for higher needs, is typically about £1,344 a week.
34 live-in carers within about an hour of Essex
These are self-employed carers on PrimeCarers, the introductory agency that runs this directory. Each has a profile with their own rates and reviews from families, and you choose who to talk to.
Most charge £1,020 to £1,260 a week. 25 can care for a couple. 10 years' experience on average.
“Not only was she professional, polite and efficient but she bought a lovely smile and laughter to my parents home.”
“She brought fun and stimulation into mums life.”
Every carer has had an enhanced DBS check in the last 18 months, ID and right-to-work checks and an online interview. Their skills and training are for you to check with them. Carers set their own rates, and who is free changes week to week.
Common questions
How much does a care home in Essex cost a week?
The typical residential care home in Essex charges £1,400 a week, based on 28 homes with a fee on record. Every home page shows where its figure came from and when.
How much does a care home in Essex cost a year?
At £1,400 a week a year in a residential care home comes to about £72,800, and nursing care about £80,704. Most homes raise fees once a year, usually in April.
What is the cheapest care home in Essex?
Blenheim Care Home in Walton-on-the-Naze has the lowest published fee we hold for Essex, from £950 a week (residential care). The full table on this page lists every home with a fee on record, cheapest first.
Will Essex council pay for my care home?
If your savings and assets are below £23,250, Essex council will assess your needs and what you can afford, and may pay part or all of the fee. Councils pay a set rate; if the home you choose charges more, a relative or friend may need to pay a top-up. Ask the adult social care team for a needs assessment first.
Is live-in care cheaper than a care home in Essex?
A live-in carer through PrimeCarers typically costs £1,120 a week near Essex, and complex care about £1,344. Against the typical Essex residential fee of £1,400 it is less for one person, and for a couple it is usually much cheaper because one carer looks after both.
Fees last checked October 2026.