bar_chart Average Band D Council Tax by Region (2026/27)
The standard way to compare council tax between areas is using the Band D rate — the middle band that all official statistics are based on. Here's how the regions stack up for 2026/27:
| Region | Avg Band D (2026/27) | Change vs 2026/27 |
|---|---|---|
| Inner London | £1,583 | +4.6% |
| Outer London | £1,924 | +4.8% |
| South East | £2,198 | +4.9% |
| South West | £2,227 | +4.7% |
| East of England | £2,152 | +4.8% |
| West Midlands | £2,108 | +4.9% |
| East Midlands | £2,185 | +4.7% |
| North West | £2,122 | +4.9% |
| North East | £2,157 | +4.8% |
| Yorkshire & Humber | £2,115 | +4.7% |
| England Average | £2,171 | +4.8% |
| Wales | £1,879 | +5.0% |
| Scotland | £1,495 | +4.5% |
Key Insight
Inner London has the lowest average despite being the most expensive place to live. This is because London boroughs receive more central government funding and retain a larger share of business rates. Scotland also appears lower because it uses a different banding system.
arrow_downward The 10 Cheapest Councils for Council Tax (2026/27)
If you're looking to minimise your council tax bill, these are the cheapest councils in England for Band D:
| Rank | Council | Band D Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Westminster | £971 |
| 2 | City of London | £1,092 |
| 3 | Wandsworth | £1,137 |
| 4 | Hammersmith & Fulham | £1,268 |
| 5 | Tower Hamlets | £1,419 |
| 6 | Kensington & Chelsea | £1,438 |
| 7 | Camden | £1,529 |
| 8 | Southwark | £1,545 |
| 9 | Islington | £1,561 |
| 10 | Hackney | £1,578 |
You'll notice a pattern: all 10 cheapest councils are in London. This isn't because London councils spend less — they actually spend significantly more per head. The difference is that London boroughs receive far more funding from business rates and central government grants, reducing how much they need from council tax.
arrow_upward The 10 Most Expensive Councils for Council Tax (2026/27)
At the other end of the spectrum, these councils charge the highest Band D rates:
| Rank | Council | Band D Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rutland | £2,538 |
| 2 | Nottingham | £2,491 |
| 3 | Dorset Council | £2,467 |
| 4 | Bristol | £2,445 |
| 5 | Bath & North East Somerset | £2,431 |
| 6 | Isle of Wight | £2,412 |
| 7 | Lewes (East Sussex) | £2,398 |
| 8 | Wealden (East Sussex) | £2,389 |
| 9 | Somerset Council | £2,376 |
| 10 | Durham | £2,365 |
The gap between the cheapest (Westminster at £971) and most expensive (Rutland at £2,538) is a staggering £1,567 per year — meaning someone in Rutland pays more than 2.5 times what someone in Westminster pays for the same Band D property.
help_outline Why Does Council Tax Vary So Much Between Areas?
Several factors drive the enormous variation in council tax across the UK:
1. Social Care Costs
Adult social care is the single biggest expense for most councils, consuming around 40% of budgets. Areas with an older population — such as coastal towns, rural counties, and retirement areas — spend significantly more on social care per household. This is the primary reason rural councils like Rutland and Dorset have higher rates than urban centres.
2. Government Funding
Central government provides grants to councils, but the distribution formula hasn't kept pace with changing demographics. London boroughs receive substantially more per head through business rates retention and specific grants, allowing them to keep council tax lower. Rural councils have lobbied for years about this "urban-rural divide" in funding.
3. Tax Base Size
The "tax base" is the total number of Band D equivalent properties in an area. A council with 200,000 properties can spread costs more thinly than one with 30,000. This is why small unitary authorities like Rutland (with fewer than 17,000 properties) often have higher rates — the same fixed costs are divided among fewer households.
4. Police and Fire Precepts
Your council tax bill includes precepts for police and fire services, set by the Police and Crime Commissioner and Fire Authority respectively. These vary between areas and typically add £200-£350 to your Band D bill. Some areas have particularly high police precepts due to local policing demands.
5. Parish Precepts
If you live in a parish or town council area, you'll also pay a parish precept. These vary from just a few pounds to over £100 per year and fund local amenities like allotments, community halls, and village maintenance. Parish precepts are not subject to referendum limits, so they can increase without restriction.
trending_up Council Tax Trends: How Much Has It Risen? (2021-2026)
Council tax has been rising steadily, with most councils applying close to the maximum permitted increase each year. Here's how average Band D rates in England have changed:
| Year | Average Band D | Annual Increase |
|---|---|---|
| 2021/22 | £1,818 | +4.4% |
| 2022/23 | £1,898 | +3.5% |
| 2023/24 | £1,966 | +5.1% |
| 2024/25 | £2,065 | +5.0% |
| 2026/27 | £2,071 | +4.99% |
| 2026/27 | £2,171 | +4.8% |
Over five years, the average Band D bill has increased by approximately £353 (19.4%). That's £353 more per year that every Band D household is paying compared to 2021/22. For higher bands, the increase is proportionally larger — Band G households have seen their bills rise by around £590 over the same period.
Referendum Limits
Councils in England cannot increase council tax by more than the government-set referendum limit (currently 4.99% for most councils, including a 2% social care precept) without holding a local referendum. However, nearly all councils apply increases at or very close to this maximum each year.
compare What You Actually Pay: Bands A to H
Remember, the Band D figures above are just the reference point. What you actually pay depends on your council tax band. Each band is a proportion of the Band D rate:
| Band | Ratio of Band D | England Avg (2026/27) |
|---|---|---|
| Band A | 6/9 (67%) | £1,447 |
| Band B | 7/9 (78%) | £1,688 |
| Band C | 8/9 (89%) | £1,930 |
| Band D | 9/9 (100%) | £2,171 |
| Band E | 11/9 (122%) | £2,653 |
| Band F | 13/9 (144%) | £3,136 |
| Band G | 15/9 (167%) | £3,618 |
| Band H | 18/9 (200%) | £4,342 |
A Band H property pays exactly twice the Band D rate, while a Band A property pays just two-thirds. This means being in the wrong band has a significant financial impact. If you suspect your property is in a higher band than it should be, it's worth checking — you could save hundreds per year and claim back thousands in overpayments. Use our free band checker to find out.
savings Could You Be Paying Less?
Regardless of where you live, there are two ways your council tax bill could be lower than it currently is:
- Wrong band — around 400,000 properties in England are estimated to be in the wrong council tax band. If your band is too high, you can challenge it and get a backdated refund
- Missing discounts — many people don't claim the discounts and exemptions they're entitled to, such as the 25% single person discount or disability reduction scheme
You might also want to check your property's energy performance — it can provide useful data about your property's size and features for a band challenge. Check your EPC at EPC Lookup.
quiz Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average council tax bill in the UK for 2026/27? expand_more
Which area has the cheapest council tax in the UK? expand_more
Which area has the most expensive council tax? expand_more
Why does council tax vary so much between areas? expand_more
How much has council tax increased over the last 5 years? expand_more
Are You Overpaying for Your Band?
Your council tax rate depends on your band — and hundreds of thousands of UK properties are in the wrong one. Check yours in 60 seconds with our free tool.
Check My Band Free arrow_forward