Care homes in Southampton: local analysis for families
80% of homes here are rated Good or Outstanding. See which are financially stable and where families report the best experience — so you can visit with confidence.
Free Shortlist — 3 Homes
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Start my free shortlistHow the Free Shortlist works
Three steps to a shortlist from 132 Southampton care homes — built as an independent starting point, not a directory ranking.
Tell us what your family needs
Care needs, location, budget, and the priorities shaping your decision.
We build an evidence-based shortlist
We use your answers to surface 3 homes worth reviewing first, based on care needs, location, budget, and fit — not on paid placements or featured listings.
Your report arrives
Free Shortlist within 10 minutes. Personalised Matching Report within 24 hours if you want deeper independent comparison before you commit.
A clear starting point, in 10 minutes
This is your independent starting point: enough evidence to narrow the field, without pretending a directory listing or a single rating tells the whole story.
Need independent deep analysis? See the Personalised Matching Report.
Southampton Care Home Market
Key figures for the local care home market, drawn from regulatory, financial, and food safety data
Based on official inspection reports
Higher than the national median — our Care Home Cost Calculator shows the council top-up risk
See rating breakdown · domain scores · inspection freshness · financial health for Southampton
Across Southampton and surrounding areas
Higher than the national median — our Care Home Cost Calculator shows the council top-up risk
Homes trending upward based on recent official inspections
Based on public financial records found for 119 homes
125 homes currently lack a registered manager
Official Rating Breakdown
CQC Quality by Domain
Average scores across Southampton care homes
Southampton homes rate strongest on Responsive and weakest on Safe.
Inspection Freshness
How recently homes were inspected by the national regulator
86% of homes have ratings over 3 years old. Our reports verify against multiple data sources to give you a more current picture.
Public Financial Risk
Public company filing signals across Southampton care homes
Based on public financial records · 119 homes analysed
Southampton Care Market Analysis 2025
Southampton's over-65 population grew 8.2% since 2021, driven by post-retirement relocation to the South Coast.
Hampshire's largest care market gives families significantly more choice than neighbouring Portsmouth or Winchester.
Two major universities supply a steady pipeline of qualified health and social care graduates to local providers.
Care Standards in Southampton
Specialist care coverage and food safety ratings across 132 homes
Specialist Care Coverage
125 (95%)
Stroke Recovery
124 (94%)
Alzheimer's
73 (55%)
Dementia
61 (46%)
Palliative / End of Life
47 (36%)
Learning Disability
44 (33%)
Physical Disability
Food Hygiene
99 of Southampton homes assessed
Financial Health
119 of 132 homes assessed
Show low public financial risk
Care Homes by Southampton Area
Care homes across Southampton's neighbourhoods, analysed and organised by location
Bassett
Southampton's most sought-after residential area with spacious grounds and premium care homes set along the leafy Bassett Avenue corridor.
14 care homes available
Shirley
Well-connected suburban area with a strong mix of residential and nursing homes, offering good value close to Shirley High Street amenities.
13 care homes available
Bitterne
Large residential district east of the Itchen with a range of affordable care options and good bus links to Southampton General Hospital.
12 care homes available
Portswood
Vibrant area near the university with smaller, community-focused care homes and convenient access to local shops and green spaces.
10 care homes available
Woolston
Riverside area with waterfront care homes offering peaceful settings along the River Itchen, with regular ferry links to the city centre.
11 care homes available
Hedge End
Modern suburban area on Southampton's eastern fringe with purpose-built care facilities and strong CQC ratings across newer developments.
15 care homes available
All 132 Homes Analysed
Every care home in our Southampton database has been checked against CQC records, with current inspection reports and pricing information.
Why families in Southampton use RightCareHome
Independent analysis that puts your family first
Without independent analysis
- 132 homes to compare manually
- Outdated directory data from years ago
- Commission-driven recommendations
- Hidden quality and safety issues
With RightCareHome
- Top 5 homes matched to your needs
- 14,000+ care homes analysed
- 100% independent, zero commissions
- CQC trends and enforcement checked
What the Free Shortlist Includes
Frequently Asked Questions About Care Homes in Southampton
Practical answers based on available local data and typical family concerns.
How many care homes are in Southampton?
Southampton has 132 registered care homes (34 nursing, 98 residential). Our database includes CQC ratings, pricing, and risk analysis for every home.
What is the average cost of a care home in Southampton?
Weekly costs in Southampton range from £0 to £1,850. The average is £1,484/week. Nursing care averages £1,359/week while residential care averages £1,528/week. Prices vary significantly by area — SO16 averages £1,483/week while SO15 is £1,321/week.
Which Southampton areas have the best care homes?
SO16, SO40, SO15 have the highest concentration of homes rated Good or Outstanding. SO16 leads with 91% of homes meeting this standard.
How many dementia care homes are in Southampton?
73 homes offer specialist dementia care in Southampton, representing 55% of all homes. Our reports highlight which dementia homes are rated Good or Outstanding by CQC.
Is palliative care available in Southampton?
Yes, 61 homes in Southampton provide palliative or end-of-life care. Our reports can help you compare these homes on quality, staffing, and cost.
What is the food hygiene standard in Southampton care homes?
Across 99 homes with FSA data in Southampton, the average food hygiene rating is 4.9 out of 5. 99% hold a 4 or 5-star rating.
Are Southampton care homes financially stable?
Of the 119 homes with financial data in Southampton, 61% show no financial risk indicators. Our reports flag any homes with medium, high, or critical financial risk.
Which Southampton areas have the best-rated care homes?
Bassett leads with 86% of homes rated Good or Outstanding by the CQC, followed by Hedge End at 84% and Portswood at 82%. The city's overall rating of 80% sits broadly in line with the South East regional average.
Does Southampton Council fund care home places?
Southampton City Council funds care at approximately £780/week for eligible residents, creating a gap of around £220/week compared to the local private average of £1,000. Self-funders should plan carefully as council-funded rates may limit the choice of available homes.
Still have questions?
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Get my free shortlistBased on official inspections, company accounts, and food hygiene records. Source update timings vary across inspection, pricing, and public records.
More Care Homes Near Southampton
Compare care options in neighbouring areas
Choose the right next step for care in Southampton
Whether you're comparing homes in Southampton, checking affordability, or verifying one specific home, start with the route that matches your next decision.
Costs and funding
Funding Guide
Start here if your family is asking what care might cost, what support could apply, or whether the house may be counted.
Or choose another route
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132 homes across Southampton — from SO16 to SO40. See which ones suit your family.
Top-Rated Care Homes in Southampton
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RCH Score methodology
How we rank care homes in Southampton
Score 0–10 · updated monthly
CQC inspections can be 2–4 years old. Our RCH Score combines the official inspection result with live signals — real reviews, quality trajectory, and financial stability — to surface homes that are performing well today, not just at the last inspection.
CQC inspection rating
40%The official Care Quality Commission rating — Outstanding, Good, Requires Improvement, or Inadequate. The primary quality signal, but can be up to 4 years old.
Online reviews
30%Average star rating from verified public reviews across the web, weighted by volume. Reflects the day-to-day experience of residents and families. Only counted when 10+ reviews exist.
CQC trend
15%Whether the home's rating has been improving, stable, or declining across its last three inspections. An improving trajectory can offset an older rating.
Financial stability
15%Operational risk derived from Companies House filings — profit/loss trend, debt levels, and director changes. Financially stressed homes face higher closure and quality risk.
Rankings are calculated from public data only. We do not accept referral fees or paid placements from care homes.
The RCH Score is a decision-support tool, not a definitive ranking. Always visit a home in person and ask for the latest CQC inspection report before making a decision.
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All Care Homes in Southampton
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