Cheapest & most expensive council tax in the UK

Published July 2026 • 6 min read • By UKCostOfLiving.org

The average Band D council tax bill in the UK for 2026/27 is £2,335. But the council you live under matters more than the national average suggests: Band D bills across the 162 councils in our dataset range from £1,020 to £2,765, a gap of over £1,745 a year.

This page ranks council tax by council for 2026/27. For a side-by-side comparison of any two councils, including every band from A to H, use our council tax comparison tool.

Cheapest council tax in the UK, 2026/27

Most expensive council tax in the UK, 2026/27

Outside London, the most expensive council tax tends to cluster in unitary authorities with a smaller commercial tax base to draw on, and in some cases councils under financial pressure that have been granted permission to raise rates above the standard 5% cap.

Verified year-on-year rises

We show year-on-year changes only where the council's 2025/26 figure is verified from its published schedule — we don't pad the list with estimates. Most English councils rose by up to the standard 5% cap (3% core plus 2% adult social care precept); police, fire and mayoral precepts can take the total bill rise slightly above that.

Council tax by council — full list

All 162 councils in our dataset, highest to lowest Band D rate for 2026/27.

Frequently asked questions

What is the average council tax bill in the UK?
£2,335 for Band D in 2026/27, based on the 162 councils in our dataset. Your own bill depends on your council and which band your property falls into — Band D is the standard reference point, and other bands are set as a fraction or multiple of it.

Which council has the cheapest council tax?
Wandsworth, at £1,020 for Band D in 2026/27, with Westminster at £1,050. Both are inner London boroughs — see the note above on why London's rates look so low.

Which council has the most expensive council tax?
Dorset, at £2,765 for Band D in 2026/27, with Nottingham (£2,755) and Rutland (£2,738) close behind.

How much did council tax rise in 2026?
Most English councils raised Band D by up to the standard 5% cap in April 2026, typically adding £100–£120 to a Band D bill; police, fire and mayoral precepts can push the total slightly higher. We show exact year-on-year figures only for councils where last year's rate is verified from the council's published schedule.

Do students pay council tax?
Full-time students are exempt. A property occupied solely by full-time students is entirely exempt from council tax. If you share with a non-student, the household may be liable but can often claim a discount.

How do I find my council tax band?
Check your council tax bill, or search your address for free at the Valuation Office Agency (voa.service.gov.uk) in England and Wales, or the Scottish Assessors Association (saa.gov.uk) in Scotland.