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The costs, nature and benefits of residential support were examined for 63 adults living in supported living schemes, 55 adults living in one- to three-person small group homes and 152 adults living in four- to six-person large group homes. The results indicate that: (1) there were no significant differences between the adjusted costs of provision; (2) there were marginal differences between supported living schemes and small group homes, and between small and large group homes in quality of care provided; (3) residents in supported living schemes made more choices and took part in more community-based activity than those in small group homes; (4) residents in supported living schemes experienced fewer hours and days per week of scheduled activity, were more likely to have had their home vandalized and were seen to be at greater risk of exploitation than those living in small group homes; and (5) when compared with participants living in large group homes, those in small group homes had larger social networks, more staff in their social networks, more people in their social networks who were neither staff, family members nor people with mental retardation, and were considered to be at less risk of abuse.