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SUFFOLK COUNTY GUIDE

Suffolk Care Homes: Compare The County Before You Shortlist

Suffolk has 198 care homes in the current RightCareHome dataset, with 85% rated Good or Outstanding. The county layer compares town clusters including Ipswich, Lowestoft and Bury St Edmunds, pricing from £895 to £2,378/week, care-type depth, financial-risk coverage, and postcode-level signals before families narrow to individual homes.

County decision snapshot

Where to start in Suffolk

A county-level view of supply, CQC quality, pricing and linked city markets, built from the same signals used in the directory below.

Use these signals to decide where to look first; always verify current fees, availability and care suitability with the individual home before committing.

Suffolk Care Home Market

Key figures for the local care home market, drawn from regulatory, financial, and food safety data

198 homeslocal inventoryCQC ratingsquality mixWeekly feespricing signalsCare typesnursing, residential, dementiaInspection agefreshness signals
85%
Rated Good or Outstanding

Above the national average — most families here have strong options

What the local care home market looks like in Suffolk
198
Care Homes Analysed

Across Suffolk and surrounding areas

31%
On Improving Trajectory

Homes trending upward based on recent official inspections

87%
Without Registered Manager

172 homes currently lack a registered manager

Official Rating Breakdown

22 Outstanding130 Good24 Requires Improvement3 Inadequate

CQC Quality by Domain

Average scores across Suffolk care homes

SafeGood
EffectiveGood
CaringGood
ResponsiveGood
Well-LedGood

Suffolk homes rate strongest on Responsive and weakest on Safe.

Inspection Freshness

How recently homes were inspected by the national regulator

1–3 years14 (8%)
Over 3 years165 (92%)

92% of homes have ratings over 3 years old. Our reports verify against multiple data sources to give you a more current picture.

Regional Insight

Care market across Suffolk

Quality leader
Lowestoft

92% of 27 homes there are rated Good or Outstanding.

Price spread
Sudbury to Bury St Edmunds

Average weekly costs range from about £1,280 to £1,681 across the county's larger towns.

Specialist strength
Dementia

139 homes (70%) currently offer this specialist support.

Largest authority cluster
Suffolk

194 homes sit in the county's biggest local-authority cluster.

Care Standards in Suffolk

Specialist care coverage and food safety ratings across 198 homes

Overall quality

85%

Good or Outstanding

Largest specialist signal

139 homes

Dementia support (70%)

Specialist Care Coverage

This is the clearest specialist category currently reaching meaningful scale in the public county dataset.

139 (70%)

Dementia

Families looking for this type of support have a meaningful county-wide shortlist here, even if other specialist categories are less visible in current public records.

Largest specialist signal
County Care Markets

Major towns in Suffolk

Compare how care quality, pricing, and nursing supply vary across the main towns and local care markets in Suffolk.

46 homes analysed

Ipswich

Suffolk

Ipswich is one of the strongest linked city or town clusters inside Suffolk, with 46 homes in the current county dataset. 85% of rated homes in this town cluster are currently Good or Outstanding, with 5 Outstanding and 30 Good ratings in the dataset. 19 nursing homes and 33 dementia-care signals make it one of the broader care-type clusters in the county data. Average pricing sits close to the county picture at £1,536/week, making it a useful benchmark for comparing nearby markets.

Homes analysed46
Avg weekly cost£1,536
Good / Outstanding85%
5 Outstanding, 30 Good
£1,536/week average
85% Good/Outstanding
27 homes analysed

Lowestoft

Suffolk

Lowestoft is one of the strongest linked city or town clusters inside Suffolk, with 27 homes in the current county dataset. 92% of rated homes in this town cluster are currently Good or Outstanding, with 2 Outstanding and 21 Good ratings in the dataset. 5 nursing homes and 17 dementia-care signals make it one of the broader care-type clusters in the county data. Average pricing sits close to the county picture at £1,524/week, making it a useful benchmark for comparing nearby markets.

Homes analysed27
Avg weekly cost£1,524
Good / Outstanding92%
2 Outstanding, 21 Good
£1,524/week average
92% Good/Outstanding
6 nursing homes

Sudbury

Suffolk

Sudbury is one of the key care markets in Suffolk, with 16 homes in the current dataset. This is a broad care market with both nursing and dementia provision. Prices here sit below the county average.

Homes analysed16
Avg weekly cost£1,280
Good / Outstanding88%
0 Outstanding, 14 Good
10 dementia specialists
3 nursing homes

Felixstowe

Suffolk

Felixstowe is one of the key care markets in Suffolk, with 15 homes in the current dataset. This is a broad care market with both nursing and dementia provision. Prices here sit close to the county average.

Homes analysed15
Avg weekly cost£1,366
Good / Outstanding92%
3 Outstanding, 9 Good
10 dementia specialists
3 Outstanding-rated
25 homes analysed

Bury St Edmunds

Suffolk

Bury St Edmunds is one of the strongest linked city or town clusters inside Suffolk, with 25 homes in the current county dataset. 75% of rated homes in this town cluster are currently Good or Outstanding, with 5 Outstanding and 10 Good ratings in the dataset. 10 nursing homes and 20 dementia-care signals make it one of the broader care-type clusters in the county data. Average pricing sits close to the county picture at £1,636/week, making it a useful benchmark for comparing nearby markets.

Homes analysed14
Avg weekly cost£1,681
Good / Outstanding86%
4 Outstanding, 8 Good
£1,636/week average
75% Good/Outstanding
7 nursing homes

Woodbridge

Suffolk

Woodbridge is one of the key care markets in Suffolk, with 13 homes in the current dataset. This is a broad care market with both nursing and dementia provision. Prices here sit close to the county average.

Homes analysed13
Avg weekly cost£1,595
Good / Outstanding83%
3 Outstanding, 7 Good
8 dementia specialists
3 Outstanding-rated
Visiting Practicality

Which towns are easiest to visit and support in Suffolk?

These town-level signals use the homes we already track across the county: transport access, healthcare proximity, green space, and practical features such as parking, lifts, and Wi-Fi.

Easiest for repeat family visits

Ipswich

Ipswich currently looks like the easiest town in this county for repeat visits, based on how accessible homes appear by transport and basic arrival logistics.

  • Avg train station distance 2.1km
  • 7 bus stops nearby
  • 15% of homes show parking
  • 24% of homes show lift access

Strongest healthcare access around homes

Lowestoft

Lowestoft currently stands out for local practical support around care homes, with the strongest combined access to hospitals, GPs, and pharmacies in the county dataset.

  • Avg hospital distance 2.3km
  • Avg GP distance 0.7km
  • Avg pharmacy distance 0.6km

Most convenient day-to-day setup

Sudbury

Sudbury currently looks strongest for day-to-day convenience, based on the mix of practical in-home features and the surrounding setting families are likely to notice once visits become routine.

  • 13% of homes show Wi-Fi
  • 13% of homes show gardens
  • 6% of homes show parking
  • Avg green space distance 461m
County Evidence

County-wide data signals for Suffolk

A structured view of the care type, CQC, financial-risk, postcode and linked-city signals behind this county guide.

Care type split

198 homes analysed

  • 70 nursing homes (35%)
  • 130 residential homes (66%)
  • 139 dementia-care signals (70%)

CQC distribution

85% Good or Outstanding

  • 22 Outstanding
  • 130 Good
  • 24 Requires Improvement
  • 3 Inadequate

Pricing range

£895-£2,378/week

  • £1,515/week average
  • Suffolk care costs range from £895 to £2,378 per week, depending on town, care type, and nursing support.

Financial coverage

79% coverage

  • 157 homes with financial signals
  • 73 low risk
  • 33 medium risk
  • 45 high risk
  • 6 critical risk

Postcode clusters

Strongest local postcode samples

CO10

15 homes

CO10 is one of the strongest postcode clusters in Suffolk, with 15 homes around Sudbury. Visible weekly fees average £1,280. 87% of rated homes in this postcode cluster are Good or Outstanding.

£1,280/week avg87% Good+Sudbury

NR33

13 homes

NR33 is one of the strongest postcode clusters in Suffolk, with 13 homes around Lowestoft. Visible weekly fees average £1,200. 92% of rated homes in this postcode cluster are Good or Outstanding.

£1,200/week avg92% Good+Lowestoft

IP11

13 homes

IP11 is one of the strongest postcode clusters in Suffolk, with 13 homes around Felixstowe. Visible weekly fees average £1,312. 92% of rated homes in this postcode cluster are Good or Outstanding.

£1,312/week avg92% Good+Felixstowe

NR32

13 homes

NR32 is one of the strongest postcode clusters in Suffolk, with 13 homes around Lowestoft. Visible weekly fees average £1,544. 85% of rated homes in this postcode cluster are Good or Outstanding.

£1,544/week avg85% Good+Lowestoft

Linked city guides

Strongest city connections

Ipswich46 homes

Ipswich is one of the strongest linked city guides inside Suffolk, with 46 homes, 85% Good/Outstanding ratings, 19 nursing homes and 33 dementia-care signals.

£1,536/week avg85% Good+19 nursing33 dementia
Lowestoft27 homes

Lowestoft is one of the strongest linked city guides inside Suffolk, with 27 homes, 92% Good/Outstanding ratings, 5 nursing homes and 17 dementia-care signals.

£1,524/week avg92% Good+5 nursing17 dementia
Bury St Edmunds25 homes

Bury St Edmunds is one of the strongest linked city guides inside Suffolk, with 25 homes, 75% Good/Outstanding ratings, 10 nursing homes and 20 dementia-care signals.

£1,636/week avg75% Good+10 nursing20 dementia
Sudbury16 homes

Sudbury is one of the strongest linked city guides inside Suffolk, with 16 homes, 88% Good/Outstanding ratings, 6 nursing homes and 10 dementia-care signals.

£1,280/week avg88% Good+6 nursing10 dementia
Felixstowe15 homes

Felixstowe is one of the strongest linked city guides inside Suffolk, with 15 homes, 92% Good/Outstanding ratings, 3 nursing homes and 10 dementia-care signals.

£1,366/week avg92% Good+3 nursing10 dementia

Town clusters

Where the county market is most concentrated

Ipswich

46 homes

Ipswich is a major Suffolk care market with 46 homes in the county dataset. 85% of rated homes are Good or Outstanding, with 19 nursing homes and 33 dementia-care signals available for comparison.

£1,536/week avg85% Good+19 nursing33 dementia

Lowestoft

27 homes

Lowestoft is a major Suffolk care market with 27 homes in the county dataset. 92% of rated homes are Good or Outstanding, with 5 nursing homes and 17 dementia-care signals available for comparison.

£1,524/week avg92% Good+5 nursing17 dementia

Bury St Edmunds

25 homes

Bury St Edmunds is a major Suffolk care market with 25 homes in the county dataset. 75% of rated homes are Good or Outstanding, with 10 nursing homes and 20 dementia-care signals available for comparison.

£1,636/week avg75% Good+10 nursing20 dementia

Sudbury

16 homes

Sudbury is a major Suffolk care market with 16 homes in the county dataset. 88% of rated homes are Good or Outstanding, with 6 nursing homes and 10 dementia-care signals available for comparison.

£1,280/week avg88% Good+6 nursing10 dementia

Felixstowe

15 homes

Felixstowe is a major Suffolk care market with 15 homes in the county dataset. 92% of rated homes are Good or Outstanding, with 3 nursing homes and 10 dementia-care signals available for comparison.

£1,366/week avg92% Good+3 nursing10 dementia

Why families in Suffolk use RightCareHome

Why this is more useful than a directory when the decision is serious

Without independent analysis

  • 198 homes to compare manually
  • Outdated directory data from years ago
  • Commission-driven recommendations
  • Hidden quality and safety issues

With RightCareHome

  • A clearer view of where quality, cost and risk differ before you check any one home
  • Independent scoring built from regulatory, review and financial evidence
  • 100% independent, zero commissions
  • A better starting point before you verify or compare specific homes

Frequently Asked Questions About Care Homes in Suffolk

Practical answers based on available local data and typical family concerns.

Still have questions?

Share your situation and get an independent shortlist of homes.

Get a shortlist for Suffolk

Based on official inspections, company accounts, and food hygiene records. Source update timings vary across inspection, pricing, and public records.

Explore Nearby

More county care markets near Suffolk

Compare neighbouring county markets before narrowing your shortlist.

RCH Score methodology

How we rank care homes in Suffolk

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

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.

When one Suffolk home stands out, verify it properly

Care Home Check reviews one home across finance, staffing, reviews and inspection history, so your family can pressure-test the decision before moving forward.

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Worried about how care in Suffolk will be paid for?

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All Care Homes in Suffolk

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Choose the right next step for care in Suffolk

You’ve seen the market. Now choose the next step that fits your decision: verify one specific home, compare a few in depth, or check affordability.

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Not sure which route is right? If one home already looks promising, start with Care Home Check. If you still need to compare options, use the deeper comparison route.

Use the Suffolk county page as the control layer before opening more local pages: compare 198 homes, 70 nursing homes, 139 dementia-care signals, 130 residential homes, postcode clusters such as CO10, and the strongest linked city guides inside the county.