Updated April 2026
Council Tax Cost UK 2026/27
How much is council tax? The average Band D bill in England is now
£2,392
per year (Band D average)
+4.9%
increase from 2025/26
Quick Estimate by Band
Select your band to see approximate annual and monthly costs based on the England average.
Annual cost
£2,392
England average
Monthly (10 months)
£239
or £199/month over 12
With single person discount
£1,794
25% off (saving £598)
Quick Answer
Council tax costs between £667 and £4,784 per year depending on your band (A to H) and council area. The average Band D bill in England for 2026/27 is £2,392. If you live alone, you get 25% off, bringing that down to about £1,794.
Bands are based on 1991 property valuations in England and Scotland, and 2003 valuations in Wales.
Council Tax by Band (England 2026/27)
Your band depends on what your property was worth in April 1991. Band D is the national benchmark used for comparisons.
| Band | 1991 Property Value | Typical Annual Cost | Monthly (10 months) | Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | Up to £40,000 | £1,064 - £1,529 | £106 - £153 | 6/9 |
| B | £40,001 - £52,000 | £1,241 - £1,784 | £124 - £178 | 7/9 |
| C | £52,001 - £68,000 | £1,419 - £2,039 | £142 - £204 | 8/9 |
| Dbenchmark | £68,001 - £88,000 | £1,595 - £2,392 | £160 - £239 | 9/9 |
| E | £88,001 - £120,000 | £1,950 - £2,924 | £195 - £292 | 11/9 |
| F | £120,001 - £160,000 | £2,304 - £3,455 | £230 - £346 | 13/9 |
| G | £160,001 - £320,000 | £2,659 - £3,987 | £266 - £399 | 15/9 |
| H | Over £320,000 | £3,190 - £4,784 | £319 - £478 | 18/9 |
These ranges show the spread from the cheapest to most expensive councils in England. Full band guide with Scotland and Wales thresholds
Cheapest and Most Expensive Councils
There is a £1,567 gap between the cheapest and most expensive council in England. London boroughs dominate the cheapest list thanks to higher government funding and business rates income.
5 Cheapest (Band D)
| Westminster | £971 |
| Wandsworth | £980 |
| City of London | £1,091 |
| Hammersmith and Fulham | £1,178 |
| Tower Hamlets | £1,284 |
5 Most Expensive (Band D)
| Rutland | £2,538 |
| Nottingham | £2,475 |
| Dorset | £2,451 |
| Lewes | £2,434 |
| North Northamptonshire | £2,412 |
Discounts and Exemptions
Millions of households are entitled to a discount but have never applied. Check whether any of these apply to you.
Single person discount
25% offIf you are the only adult in the property. Around 8 million UK households claim this.
Student exemption
100% exemptAll-student households pay nothing. Get a certificate from your university.
Disabled person reduction
Drop one bandIf your home has features essential for a disabled person. Band A gets an additional discount.
Council Tax Reduction
Up to 100%Low-income households can apply for a reduction through their local council.
Severe mental impairment
DisregardedWidely unclaimed. People with dementia, severe learning disability, or stroke may qualify.
Second home premium
+100% surchargeMost councils now charge double on second homes from April 2025 onwards.
Is Your Band Wrong?
In 2023/24, 27% of council tax band challenges succeeded, with 10,530 out of 39,590 cases resulting in a lower band. Informal band reviews have a 41% success rate. Only 0.08% of challenges result in a band increase.
27%
of challenges succeed
41%
band review success rate
0.08%
risk of band increase
If successful, you receive a refund for all years overpaid with no time limit. Read the full step-by-step guide
What Does Council Tax Pay For?
Council tax funds about 25% of local government spending. The rest comes from business rates, government grants, and fees. Here is where a typical council spends its budget:
37%
Adult social care
13%
Children's services
12%
Police precept
10%
Education
8%
Waste and environment
7%
Highways and transport
3%
Fire precept
10%
Other services
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is council tax per month?
Council tax is typically paid over 10 monthly instalments from April to January. For the 2026/27 average Band D bill of £2,392, that works out to £239 per month. You can request 12-month payments from your council, which brings it down to about £199 per month for the same annual total.
Do I pay council tax if I live alone?
Yes, but you qualify for a 25% single person discount. For the average Band D property in 2026/27, that reduces your annual bill from £2,392 to £1,794, saving you £598 per year. Around 8 million UK households claim this discount.
What band am I in?
Check your band on the Valuation Office Agency website (voa.gov.uk) for England and Wales, or the Scottish Assessors website for Scotland. Search your address to see your current band. Bands are based on what your property was worth in April 1991 (England/Scotland) or April 2003 (Wales).
Are students exempt from council tax?
If everyone in the property is a full-time student, the household is fully exempt. If only some residents are students, the students are disregarded when counting adults, which can trigger a 25% single person discount for the remaining person. Part-time students do not qualify.
Is council tax going up in 2026?
The average council tax in England rose by 4.9% in April 2026, taking the Band D average to £2,392. Most councils raised bills by the maximum 4.99% permitted without a referendum. Seven councils received permission for higher increases of up to 8.99%.
What happens if I cannot pay my council tax?
Contact your council immediately. They can arrange a payment plan, and you may qualify for Council Tax Reduction (up to 100% off for low-income households). Ignoring the bill leads to court summons, additional costs of £70 to £100, and eventually bailiff action or wage deductions.
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Compare other common UK household expenses