Complete Breakdown of Council Tax Rates Across England for 2026/27
The Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government has published the comprehensive council tax figures for all 296 local authorities in England for the 2026/27 financial year. This detailed release provides average Band D property charges across every council area, offering residents a clear comparison of their potential payments against national averages.
Understanding the Council Tax Figures
The published amounts represent the average total council tax for Band D properties, incorporating several key components. Where applicable, these figures include the adult social care levy, parish precepts, and additional charges for police, fire, and regional authorities that appear on standard council tax bills.
For ordinary council tax payers, these numbers provide valuable insight into how their local charges compare with other areas across the country. The data is organized into four distinct categories: Metropolitan boroughs, London boroughs, unitary authorities, and district and county councils. Each category is presented alphabetically with clear columns showing the local authority name, average total council tax for Band D properties in 2026/27, the previous year's figure in brackets, and the exact rise from 2025/26 to 2026/27.
Metropolitan Boroughs Analysis
Among metropolitan boroughs, Gateshead emerges with the highest average Band D charge at £2,715.81, representing a significant increase of £137.35 from the previous year. Birmingham residents face a £2,362.90 average, up £117.49 from 2025/26, while Manchester shows a £2,312.04 average with a £129.01 rise.
Several metropolitan areas demonstrate substantial increases, with Stockport leading at £143.59 more than the previous year, bringing their total to £2,618.90. Oldham and Rochdale both show increases exceeding £142, while Trafford records the largest percentage increase among major metropolitan areas with a £169.16 rise to £2,291.70.
London Boroughs Overview
London presents a diverse picture of council tax charges, with Wandsworth maintaining its position as the lowest-charging borough at just £1,028.21, despite a £30.46 increase. Westminster follows closely at £1,049.55 with a similar modest rise of £30.55.
At the higher end, Kingston upon Thames leads London boroughs with a £2,609.20 average, up £119.86 from the previous year. Croydon shows a £2,599.91 charge with a £119.43 increase, while Harrow reaches £2,511.07 with a £115.21 rise. The City of London maintains relatively low charges at £1,329.56, increasing by just £55.49.
Unitary Authorities Examination
Unitary authorities display considerable variation, with Dorset recording the highest average at £2,765.02, representing a £134.72 increase. Bristol follows closely at £2,713.68 with a £129.79 rise, while Nottingham shows £2,755.39 with a more moderate £99.20 increase.
Several unitary authorities demonstrate particularly significant rises, with Shropshire showing a £209.38 increase to £2,528.18 and North Somerset recording a £196.28 rise to £2,491.22. Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole also shows a substantial £170.80 increase to £2,435.58.
District and County Councils Breakdown
The district and county council figures include combined charges from both district and county authorities, as residents in these areas receive bills covering both levels of local government along with any additional precepts. For example, Adur district council charges include West Sussex county council contributions, resulting in a £2,548.28 total with a £115.78 increase.
Among district authorities, Newark & Sherwood shows one of the highest averages at £2,682.10 with a £99.88 increase, while Oxford records £2,678.40 with a £121.27 rise. Wealden demonstrates £2,728.43 with a £119.99 increase, and Rother reaches £2,700.95 with a substantial £139.66 rise.
Key Trends and Observations
The data reveals several important patterns across England's local authorities. Most areas show increases from the previous year, with rises typically ranging between £50 and £150 for Band D properties. However, some authorities demonstrate more significant increases, particularly in unitary and district council categories.
The inclusion of adult social care levies and additional precepts contributes to the overall figures, making direct comparisons between areas with different service structures important for accurate assessment. Residents should note that these figures represent averages and individual bills may vary based on specific property bands and local circumstances.
This comprehensive data release provides valuable transparency for council tax payers across England, enabling better understanding of local government financing and service provision as we approach the 2026/27 financial year.
