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. 8 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 the North East average of £1,172. That is about 12% less than the England figure of £1,350.
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, Birchwood Court Residential Care Home in Peterlee is the least expensive at £1,162 a week and St Clare's Court in Newton Aycliffe the most at £1,304. Fees still vary by room and level of care, so ask each home for a written quote.
Care homes in County Durham with a fee on record
| Care home | Town | CQC | From, a week | vs typical |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birchwood Court Residential Care Home Dementia | Peterlee | CQC: Good | £1,162 | 3% below |
| 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 |
| Melbury Court Nursing · Dementia | Durham | CQC: Good | £1,286 | 8% above |
| Eden House Dementia | Bishop Auckland | CQC: Outstanding | £1,287 | 8% above |
| St Clare's Court Dementia | Newton Aycliffe | CQC: Good | £1,304 | 9% 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.
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.
Care home or live-in care in County Durham?
A live-in carer through PrimeCarers costs from about £1,120 a week 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 from about £1,344 a week.
How live-in care worksCommon 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 8 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?
Birchwood Court Residential Care Home in Peterlee has the lowest published fee we hold for County Durham, from £1,162 a week (residential care). 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?
Standard live-in care costs from about £1,120 a week and complex care from 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 August 2026.