Care home costs in County Durham
Weekly fees for 2026, from the homes that publish them. Updated as homes confirm their prices.
There are 146 care homes registered with the CQC in County Durham, North East. 11 have a weekly fee on record with us, each dated and traced to where it came from.
The typical residential care home fee in County Durham is £1,193 a week, about £62,010 a year. The middle half of homes charge between £1,177 and £1,210. That is close to the North East average of £1,157. That is about 8% less than the England figure of £1,300.
Nursing care in County Durham typically costs £1,406 a week, based on 3 nursing homes with a fee on record. The NHS pays a weekly contribution towards the nursing part of that fee, direct to the home.
Of the homes with a published fee, Springfield Lodge Care Home in West Rainton is the least expensive at £960 a week and St Clare's Court in Newton Aycliffe the most at £1,304. 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 £62,010 a year
For a couple, two places: £2,385 a week
Nursing care: £1,406 a week
A live-in carer, at homeThe typical live-in carer near County Durham, set by the carer
Staying at home could cost about £113 a week less, £5,850 over a year
A couple can share one carer, about £1,355 a week, £1,030 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 County Durham
| 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 County Durham | Not a care home | £1,080 | 9% below |
| Springfield Lodge Care Home Dementia | West Rainton | CQC: Good | £960 | 19% below |
| St Aidan Lodge Residential Care Home Dementia | Durham | CQC: Good | £1,134 | 5% below |
| Birchwood Court Residential Care Home Dementia | Peterlee | CQC: Good | £1,162 | 3% below |
| Lindisfarne Ouston Nursing · Dementia | Chester-le-Street | CQC: Good | £1,180 | about typical |
| Rushyfields Residential and Nursing Home Nursing · Dementia | Durham | CQC: Good | £1,182 | about typical |
| Cedar Court Residential and Nursing Home Nursing · Dementia | Seaham | CQC: Good | £1,203 | about typical |
| Ashwood Park Residential and Nursing Home Nursing · Dementia | Peterlee | CQC: Good | £1,231 | 3% above |
| Greenways Court Dementia | Consett | CQC: Good | £1,286 | 8% above |
Most expensive care homes in County Durham
| Care home | Town | CQC | From, a week | vs typical |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| St Clare's Court Dementia | Newton Aycliffe | CQC: Good | £1,304 | 9% above |
| Eden House Dementia | Bishop Auckland | CQC: Outstanding | £1,287 | 8% above |
| Melbury Court Nursing · Dementia | Durham | CQC: Good | £1,286 | 8% above |
| Greenways Court Dementia | Consett | CQC: Good | £1,286 | 8% above |
| Ashwood Park Residential and Nursing Home Nursing · Dementia | Peterlee | CQC: Good | £1,231 | 3% above |
| Cedar Court Residential and Nursing Home Nursing · Dementia | Seaham | CQC: Good | £1,203 | about typical |
| Rushyfields Residential and Nursing Home Nursing · Dementia | Durham | CQC: Good | £1,182 | about typical |
| Lindisfarne Ouston Nursing · Dementia | Chester-le-Street | CQC: Good | £1,180 | about typical |
“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 County Durham compares with nearby areas
| Council area | Residential, a week | Nursing, a week | Homes with fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| County Durham | £1,193 | £1,406 | 11 |
| Sunderland | £1,263 | £1,440 | 3 |
What the fee includes
A care home fee in County Durham 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 County Durham
If you have more than £23,250 in savings and assets you will normally pay the full fee yourself. Below that, County Durham 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 County Durham?
A live-in carer through PrimeCarers typically costs £1,080 a week near County Durham for one person and the same carer can look after a couple. The typical residential fee in County Durham is £1,193 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.
47 live-in carers within about an hour of County Durham
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 £960 to £1,210 a week. 42 can care for a couple. 10 years' experience on average.
“Petty introduced herself to Mum every time she was caring for her and responded very quickly to Mum if she was distressed in the night.”
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 County Durham cost a week?
The typical residential care home in County Durham charges £1,193 a week and nursing care £1,406, based on 11 homes with a fee on record. Every home page shows where its figure came from and when.
How much does a care home in County Durham cost a year?
At £1,193 a week a year in a residential care home comes to about £62,010, and nursing care about £73,112. Most homes raise fees once a year, usually in April.
What is the cheapest care home in County Durham?
Springfield Lodge Care Home in West Rainton has the lowest published fee we hold for County Durham, from £960 a week (care home fees). The full table on this page lists every home with a fee on record, cheapest first.
Will County Durham council pay for my care home?
If your savings and assets are below £23,250, County Durham 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 County Durham?
A live-in carer through PrimeCarers typically costs £1,080 a week near County Durham, and complex care about £1,344. Against the typical County Durham residential fee of £1,193 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.