Council Tax Band Rates 2025/26: What Each Band Costs
For 2025/26, the average Band D council tax rate in England is £2,171 per year. That figure gets multiplied up or down depending on which band your property is in. Below you'll find what each band costs based on that average — but keep in mind your own bill depends on where you live, and rates vary significantly across the country.
Council tax rates by band for 2025/26 (England average)
These figures use the national average Band D rate of £2,171 and apply the standard multipliers. They give you a useful benchmark, but your local council's Band D rate may be higher or lower.
- Band A: £1,447 per year (£120.60 per month)
- Band B: £1,689 per year (£140.72 per month)
- Band C: £1,930 per year (£160.85 per month)
- Band D: £2,171 per year (£180.94 per month)
- Band E: £2,653 per year (£221.11 per month)
- Band F: £3,136 per year (£261.29 per month)
- Band G: £3,618 per year (£301.50 per month)
- Band H: £4,342 per year (£361.83 per month)
Why your actual bill may be different
These are average figures. Your council sets its own Band D rate, and depending on where you live, it could be noticeably different from £2,171. London boroughs tend to charge less — often between £1,400 and £1,900 — while some county areas in the South East and East of England charge over £2,400.
On top of that, your bill may include local precepts that don't apply everywhere. A parish or town council precept can add anything from a few pounds to well over £100 per year. Adult social care supplements, police precepts, and fire precepts also vary by area.
And if you qualify for a discount or reduction, your actual payment will be lower than these headline figures. The 25% single-person discount alone saves a Band D household around £543 per year at the national average rate.
How the 2025/26 rates compare to last year
The 2025/26 average represents an increase of around 5% on 2024/25 — the maximum most councils are permitted to raise without holding a referendum. Most English councils raised by the full permitted amount: 3% core increase plus 2% for adult social care.
That means Band A households are paying roughly £69 more per year than in 2024/25, and Band D households around £104 more. At Band H, the increase amounts to around £207 per year.
Checking your exact local rate
To find out exactly what you should be paying, enter your postcode into Council Tax Checker. It will show your specific council's Band D rate for 2025/26 and calculate the charge for your band, including any precepts relevant to your area.
Your council will also publish its full council tax schedule on its website each April. Search for "[your council name] council tax 2025/26" and look for a table or schedule showing all eight bands.
Frequently asked questions
- Are these rates the same across England, Scotland, and Wales?
- No. The £2,171 average is for England. Scotland and Wales set their own rates through their respective local authorities and national funding arrangements. Scottish councils have different Band D rates, and Welsh bills reflect a 2003 valuation rather than 1991.
- Does Band H really cost double Band D?
- Yes, exactly. The Band H multiplier is 18/9 — twice the Band D multiplier of 9/9. So whatever your council charges for Band D, your Band H charge is exactly double. There's no upper cap on what Band H households pay in absolute terms.
- I'm on council tax reduction. Do these rates apply to me?
- Council tax reduction (sometimes called council tax support) reduces the amount you're actually billed based on your income. You still have a band, and the rates above show what the full charge would be — your reduction is applied on top of that. Check with your council for your specific entitlement.
- When will 2026/27 rates be announced?
- Councils typically set and publish their new council tax rates in February or March each year, ahead of the April start of the new financial year. You'll receive your new bill in March or April.
Related guides
Council Tax Bands Explained: A to H, What They Mean and How They Work
Council tax bands run from A to H and were set using 1991 property valuations. Here's exactly what each band means, how the multipliers work, and why your band matters.
How Council Tax Is Calculated: The Full Breakdown
Council tax is calculated by applying your band's multiplier to your council's Band D rate. But that Band D rate varies hugely across the country — here's why.
Average Council Tax by Region in the UK: Why Bills Vary So Much
Council tax bills for the same band can differ by £1,000 or more depending on where you live. Here's why regional variation is so large and what drives it.
Council Tax Discounts and Exemptions: The Complete Guide
Council tax discounts and exemptions can significantly cut your bill — or eliminate it entirely. Here's what's available and how to claim it.
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