🇬🇧2026/27 · MHCLG Band D · 81 authorities

Council tax by borough 2026

Rank 81 England authorities by area Band D — London boroughs, metropolitan districts, and key unitaries. Lowest ranks #1. London avg ≈ £2,090.08 vs England £2,392.00.

By Sammy S. · Founder · Author

£1,028.21

Lowest · Wandsworth

£2,755.39

Highest · Nottingham

£2,090.08

London borough avg

£2,392.00

England average

Compare corridors Key finding

Key finding

Wandsworth leads at £1,028.21 — Nottingham tops at £2,755.39

On MHCLG 2026/27 area Band D, Wandsworth is lowest on this hub at £1,028.21 and Nottingham is highest at £2,755.39. London borough average ≈ £2,090.08 vs metropolitan districts ≈ £2,427.66 (England average £2,392.00). Westminster (£1,049.55) undercuts Manchester (£2,312.04) by £1,262.49 — a classic London vs rest-of-England corridor.

Updated 2026-08-10 · 81 authorities · 2026/27 · Rank #1 = lowest Band D

Quick facts

Lowest Band D

£1,028.21

Wandsworth

Highest Band D

£2,755.39

Nottingham

London borough avg

£2,090.08

33 boroughs

England average

£2,392.00

Metro districts avg £2,427.66

Cheapest & dearest Band D (top 10)

Lowest 10 area Band D

1Wandsworth£1,028.21
2Westminster£1,049.55
3City of London£1,329.56
4Hammersmith and Fulham£1,519.51
5Kensington and Chelsea£1,666.65
6Tower Hamlets£1,837.78
7Newham£1,944.23
8Southwark£1,967.26
9Hillingdon£2,045.46
10Lambeth£2,047.11

Highest 10 area Band D

1Nottingham£2,755.39
2Gateshead£2,715.81
3Bristol£2,713.68
4Oxford£2,678.40
5Liverpool£2,673.59
6Walsall£2,627.48
7Stockport£2,618.90
8Reading£2,612.77
9Kingston upon Thames£2,609.20
10Oldham£2,602.23

Area Band D by authority

Ranked lowest → highest. Band C is 8/9 of Band D (same order). vs Eng avg uses £2,392.00.

Council tax area Band D rankings 2026/27
#	Authority	Band D	Band C	vs Eng avg	Group
1	WandsworthLondon	£1,028.21	£913.96	−£1,363.79	London
2	WestminsterLondon	£1,049.55	£932.93	−£1,342.45	London
3	City of LondonLondon	£1,329.56	£1,181.83	−£1,062.44	London
4	Hammersmith and FulhamLondon	£1,519.51	£1,350.68	−£872.49	London
5	Kensington and ChelseaLondon	£1,666.65	£1,481.47	−£725.35	London
6	Tower HamletsLondon	£1,837.78	£1,633.58	−£554.22	London
7	NewhamLondon	£1,944.23	£1,728.20	−£447.77	London
8	SouthwarkLondon	£1,967.26	£1,748.68	−£424.74	London
9	HillingdonLondon	£2,045.46	£1,818.19	−£346.54	London
10	LambethLondon	£2,047.11	£1,819.65	−£344.89	London
11	HackneyLondon	£2,060.30	£1,831.38	−£331.70	London
12	GreenwichLondon	£2,107.86	£1,873.65	−£284.14	London
13	IslingtonLondon	£2,108.15	£1,873.91	−£283.85	London
14	BarnetLondon	£2,132.60	£1,895.64	−£259.40	London
15	EalingLondon	£2,138.53	£1,900.92	−£253.47	London
16	BromleyLondon	£2,140.04	£1,902.26	−£251.96	London
17	DudleyWest Midlands	£2,144.84	£1,906.52	−£247.16	Metro
18	MertonLondon	£2,146.76	£1,908.23	−£245.24	London
19	WiganNorth West	£2,152.68	£1,913.49	−£239.32	Metro
20	DoncasterYorkshire and the Humber	£2,167.75	£1,926.89	−£224.25	Metro
21	HounslowLondon	£2,185.56	£1,942.72	−£206.44	London
22	SunderlandNorth East	£2,197.14	£1,953.01	−£194.86	Metro
23	SolihullWest Midlands	£2,197.26	£1,953.12	−£194.74	Metro
24	Barking and DagenhamLondon	£2,198.51	£1,954.23	−£193.49	London
25	CamdenLondon	£2,207.55	£1,962.27	−£184.45	London
26	BrentLondon	£2,235.27	£1,986.91	−£156.73	London
27	LewishamLondon	£2,237.33	£1,988.74	−£154.67	London
28	SandwellWest Midlands	£2,244.46	£1,995.08	−£147.54	Metro
29	EnfieldLondon	£2,267.67	£2,015.71	−£124.33	London
30	LeedsYorkshire and the Humber	£2,283.73	£2,029.98	−£108.27	Metro
31	YorkYorkshire and the Humber	£2,287.15	£2,033.02	−£104.85	Unitary
32	TraffordNorth West	£2,291.70	£2,037.07	−£100.30	Metro
33	PortsmouthSouth East	£2,291.71	£2,037.08	−£100.29	Unitary
34	RedbridgeLondon	£2,294.58	£2,039.63	−£97.42	London
35	WakefieldYorkshire and the Humber	£2,296.89	£2,041.68	−£95.11	Metro
36	ManchesterNorth West	£2,312.04	£2,055.15	−£79.96	Metro
37	HaringeyLondon	£2,313.78	£2,056.69	−£78.22	London
38	BarnsleyYorkshire and the Humber	£2,325.96	£2,067.52	−£66.04	Metro
39	BradfordYorkshire and the Humber	£2,360.73	£2,098.43	−£31.27	Metro
40	BirminghamWest Midlands	£2,362.90	£2,100.36	−£29.10	Metro
41	BexleyLondon	£2,366.36	£2,103.43	−£25.64	London
42	Milton KeynesSouth East	£2,372.21	£2,108.63	−£19.79	Unitary
43	SuttonLondon	£2,378.64	£2,114.35	−£13.36	London
44	SouthamptonSouth East	£2,381.48	£2,116.87	−£10.52	Unitary
45	RotherhamYorkshire and the Humber	£2,381.53	£2,116.92	−£10.47	Metro
46	Waltham ForestLondon	£2,386.96	£2,121.74	−£5.04	London
47	BoltonNorth West	£2,399.74	£2,133.10	+£7.74	Metro
48	St HelensNorth West	£2,403.38	£2,136.34	+£11.38	Metro
49	CalderdaleYorkshire and the Humber	£2,420.15	£2,151.24	+£28.15	Metro
50	HaveringLondon	£2,424.66	£2,155.25	+£32.66	London
51	South TynesideNorth East	£2,434.43	£2,163.94	+£42.43	Metro
52	KirkleesYorkshire and the Humber	£2,441.07	£2,169.84	+£49.07	Metro
53	PlymouthSouth West	£2,441.85	£2,170.53	+£49.85	Unitary
54	TamesideNorth West	£2,447.21	£2,175.30	+£55.21	Metro
55	North TynesideNorth East	£2,461.77	£2,188.24	+£69.77	Metro
56	CambridgeEast of England	£2,467.02	£2,192.91	+£75.02	Unitary
57	Richmond upon ThamesLondon	£2,486.10	£2,209.87	+£94.10	London
58	KnowsleyNorth West	£2,488.25	£2,211.78	+£96.25	Metro
59	WirralNorth West	£2,500.59	£2,222.75	+£108.59	Metro
60	SheffieldYorkshire and the Humber	£2,510.16	£2,231.25	+£118.16	Metro
61	HarrowLondon	£2,511.07	£2,232.06	+£119.07	London
62	CoventryWest Midlands	£2,516.72	£2,237.08	+£124.72	Metro
63	LeicesterEast Midlands	£2,528.75	£2,247.78	+£136.75	Unitary
64	WolverhamptonWest Midlands	£2,538.99	£2,256.88	+£146.99	Metro
65	Newcastle upon TyneNorth East	£2,542.19	£2,259.72	+£150.19	Metro
66	BuryNorth West	£2,555.15	£2,271.24	+£163.15	Metro
67	Brighton and HoveSouth East	£2,580.54	£2,293.81	+£188.54	Unitary
68	SeftonNorth West	£2,583.22	£2,296.20	+£191.22	Metro
69	SalfordNorth West	£2,594.45	£2,306.18	+£202.45	Metro
70	CroydonLondon	£2,599.91	£2,311.03	+£207.91	London
71	RochdaleNorth West	£2,600.83	£2,311.85	+£208.83	Metro
72	OldhamNorth West	£2,602.23	£2,313.09	+£210.23	Metro
73	Kingston upon ThamesLondon	£2,609.20	£2,319.29	+£217.20	London
74	ReadingSouth East	£2,612.77	£2,322.46	+£220.77	Unitary
75	StockportNorth West	£2,618.90	£2,327.91	+£226.90	Metro
76	WalsallWest Midlands	£2,627.48	£2,335.54	+£235.48	Metro
77	LiverpoolNorth West	£2,673.59	£2,376.52	+£281.59	Metro
78	OxfordSouth East	£2,678.40	£2,380.80	+£286.40	Unitary
79	BristolSouth West	£2,713.68	£2,412.16	+£321.68	Unitary
80	GatesheadNorth East	£2,715.81	£2,414.05	+£323.81	Metro
81	NottinghamEast Midlands	£2,755.39	£2,449.24	+£363.39	Unitary

London boroughs only

33 authorities · average £2,090.08 Band D (includes GLA precept in MHCLG area figures).

London borough council tax Band D 2026/27
#	Authority	Band D	Band C	vs Eng avg	Group
1	WandsworthLondon	£1,028.21	£913.96	−£1,363.79	London
2	WestminsterLondon	£1,049.55	£932.93	−£1,342.45	London
3	City of LondonLondon	£1,329.56	£1,181.83	−£1,062.44	London
4	Hammersmith and FulhamLondon	£1,519.51	£1,350.68	−£872.49	London
5	Kensington and ChelseaLondon	£1,666.65	£1,481.47	−£725.35	London
6	Tower HamletsLondon	£1,837.78	£1,633.58	−£554.22	London
7	NewhamLondon	£1,944.23	£1,728.20	−£447.77	London
8	SouthwarkLondon	£1,967.26	£1,748.68	−£424.74	London
9	HillingdonLondon	£2,045.46	£1,818.19	−£346.54	London
10	LambethLondon	£2,047.11	£1,819.65	−£344.89	London
11	HackneyLondon	£2,060.30	£1,831.38	−£331.70	London
12	GreenwichLondon	£2,107.86	£1,873.65	−£284.14	London
13	IslingtonLondon	£2,108.15	£1,873.91	−£283.85	London
14	BarnetLondon	£2,132.60	£1,895.64	−£259.40	London
15	EalingLondon	£2,138.53	£1,900.92	−£253.47	London
16	BromleyLondon	£2,140.04	£1,902.26	−£251.96	London
18	MertonLondon	£2,146.76	£1,908.23	−£245.24	London
21	HounslowLondon	£2,185.56	£1,942.72	−£206.44	London
24	Barking and DagenhamLondon	£2,198.51	£1,954.23	−£193.49	London
25	CamdenLondon	£2,207.55	£1,962.27	−£184.45	London
26	BrentLondon	£2,235.27	£1,986.91	−£156.73	London
27	LewishamLondon	£2,237.33	£1,988.74	−£154.67	London
29	EnfieldLondon	£2,267.67	£2,015.71	−£124.33	London
34	RedbridgeLondon	£2,294.58	£2,039.63	−£97.42	London
37	HaringeyLondon	£2,313.78	£2,056.69	−£78.22	London
41	BexleyLondon	£2,366.36	£2,103.43	−£25.64	London
43	SuttonLondon	£2,378.64	£2,114.35	−£13.36	London
46	Waltham ForestLondon	£2,386.96	£2,121.74	−£5.04	London
50	HaveringLondon	£2,424.66	£2,155.25	+£32.66	London
57	Richmond upon ThamesLondon	£2,486.10	£2,209.87	+£94.10	London
61	HarrowLondon	£2,511.07	£2,232.06	+£119.07	London
70	CroydonLondon	£2,599.91	£2,311.03	+£207.91	London
73	Kingston upon ThamesLondon	£2,609.20	£2,319.29	+£217.20	London

Metropolitan districts

36 authorities · average £2,427.66 Band D.

Metropolitan district council tax Band D 2026/27
#	Authority	Band D	Band C	vs Eng avg	Group
17	DudleyWest Midlands	£2,144.84	£1,906.52	−£247.16	Metro
19	WiganNorth West	£2,152.68	£1,913.49	−£239.32	Metro
20	DoncasterYorkshire and the Humber	£2,167.75	£1,926.89	−£224.25	Metro
22	SunderlandNorth East	£2,197.14	£1,953.01	−£194.86	Metro
23	SolihullWest Midlands	£2,197.26	£1,953.12	−£194.74	Metro
28	SandwellWest Midlands	£2,244.46	£1,995.08	−£147.54	Metro
30	LeedsYorkshire and the Humber	£2,283.73	£2,029.98	−£108.27	Metro
32	TraffordNorth West	£2,291.70	£2,037.07	−£100.30	Metro
35	WakefieldYorkshire and the Humber	£2,296.89	£2,041.68	−£95.11	Metro
36	ManchesterNorth West	£2,312.04	£2,055.15	−£79.96	Metro
38	BarnsleyYorkshire and the Humber	£2,325.96	£2,067.52	−£66.04	Metro
39	BradfordYorkshire and the Humber	£2,360.73	£2,098.43	−£31.27	Metro
40	BirminghamWest Midlands	£2,362.90	£2,100.36	−£29.10	Metro
45	RotherhamYorkshire and the Humber	£2,381.53	£2,116.92	−£10.47	Metro
47	BoltonNorth West	£2,399.74	£2,133.10	+£7.74	Metro
48	St HelensNorth West	£2,403.38	£2,136.34	+£11.38	Metro
49	CalderdaleYorkshire and the Humber	£2,420.15	£2,151.24	+£28.15	Metro
51	South TynesideNorth East	£2,434.43	£2,163.94	+£42.43	Metro
52	KirkleesYorkshire and the Humber	£2,441.07	£2,169.84	+£49.07	Metro
54	TamesideNorth West	£2,447.21	£2,175.30	+£55.21	Metro
55	North TynesideNorth East	£2,461.77	£2,188.24	+£69.77	Metro
58	KnowsleyNorth West	£2,488.25	£2,211.78	+£96.25	Metro
59	WirralNorth West	£2,500.59	£2,222.75	+£108.59	Metro
60	SheffieldYorkshire and the Humber	£2,510.16	£2,231.25	+£118.16	Metro
62	CoventryWest Midlands	£2,516.72	£2,237.08	+£124.72	Metro
64	WolverhamptonWest Midlands	£2,538.99	£2,256.88	+£146.99	Metro
65	Newcastle upon TyneNorth East	£2,542.19	£2,259.72	+£150.19	Metro
66	BuryNorth West	£2,555.15	£2,271.24	+£163.15	Metro
68	SeftonNorth West	£2,583.22	£2,296.20	+£191.22	Metro
69	SalfordNorth West	£2,594.45	£2,306.18	+£202.45	Metro
71	RochdaleNorth West	£2,600.83	£2,311.85	+£208.83	Metro
72	OldhamNorth West	£2,602.23	£2,313.09	+£210.23	Metro
75	StockportNorth West	£2,618.90	£2,327.91	+£226.90	Metro
76	WalsallWest Midlands	£2,627.48	£2,335.54	+£235.48	Metro
77	LiverpoolNorth West	£2,673.59	£2,376.52	+£281.59	Metro
80	GatesheadNorth East	£2,715.81	£2,414.05	+£323.81	Metro

Popular council tax corridors

Westminster vs Manchester

Westminster (£1,049.55) undercuts Manchester (£2,312.04) by £1,262.49 on Band D.

Compare Band D gap £1,262.49 →

Birmingham vs Leeds

Leeds (£2,283.73) undercuts Birmingham (£2,362.90) by £79.17 on Band D.

Compare Band D gap £79.17 →

Wandsworth vs Westminster

Wandsworth (£1,028.21) undercuts Westminster (£1,049.55) by £21.34 on Band D.

Compare Band D gap £21.34 →

Wandsworth vs Croydon

Wandsworth (£1,028.21) undercuts Croydon (£2,599.91) by £1,571.70 on Band D.

Compare Band D gap £1,571.70 →

Westminster vs Birmingham

Westminster (£1,049.55) undercuts Birmingham (£2,362.90) by £1,313.35 on Band D.

Compare Band D gap £1,313.35 →

Wandsworth vs Birmingham

Wandsworth (£1,028.21) undercuts Birmingham (£2,362.90) by £1,334.69 on Band D.

Compare Band D gap £1,334.69 →

Manchester vs Leeds

Leeds (£2,283.73) undercuts Manchester (£2,312.04) by £28.31 on Band D.

Compare Band D gap £28.31 →

Liverpool vs Manchester

Manchester (£2,312.04) undercuts Liverpool (£2,673.59) by £361.55 on Band D.

Compare Band D gap £361.55 →

Sheffield vs Leeds

Leeds (£2,283.73) undercuts Sheffield (£2,510.16) by £226.43 on Band D.

Compare Band D gap £226.43 →

Bristol vs Birmingham

Birmingham (£2,362.90) undercuts Bristol (£2,713.68) by £350.78 on Band D.

Compare Band D gap £350.78 →

Tower Hamlets vs Newham

Tower Hamlets (£1,837.78) undercuts Newham (£1,944.23) by £106.45 on Band D.

Compare Band D gap £106.45 →

Islington vs Hackney

Hackney (£2,060.30) undercuts Islington (£2,108.15) by £47.85 on Band D.

Compare Band D gap £47.85 →

Kensington & Chelsea vs Westminster

Westminster (£1,049.55) undercuts Kensington and Chelsea (£1,666.65) by £617.10 on Band D.

Compare Band D gap £617.10 →

Newcastle vs Liverpool

Newcastle upon Tyne (£2,542.19) undercuts Liverpool (£2,673.59) by £131.40 on Band D.

Compare Band D gap £131.40 →

Compare any two authorities

Area Band D · 2026/27 · London boroughs + major metros

First authority

Second authority

Planning tips

Check your valuation band

The ranking uses Band D. Your home may be A–H — use the ladder on each profile.

Ask about single discount

Living alone usually cuts 25% — shown as single Band D on every profile.

GLA & major precepts

London figures already include the GLA precept in the MHCLG area Band D.

Personalize discounts

Disability reduction and exemptions belong in the calculator, not this fixed vignette.

FAQs

Wandsworth at £1,028.21 area Band D (2026/27).

Nottingham at £2,755.39 among the 81 featured authorities.

MHCLG publishes area Band D. Band C is 8/9 of Band D — rankings never reorder.

Westminster £1,049.55 vs Manchester £2,312.04 — gap £1,262.49.

Not on average Band D — London average ≈ £2,090.08 vs England £2,392.00. Individual boroughs still vary widely (£1,580.99 span).

Wandsworth (£1,028.21) is cheapest; Kingston upon Thames (£2,609.20) is dearest, with Croydon close at £2,599.91.

No — a flat 25% scales every authority equally. Cheapest Band D stays cheapest after the discount.

This hub is England-first. Use the calculator’s nation toggle and enter Band D manually until nation-average pages ship.

Yes for London — MHCLG area Band D includes major precepts.

No — this hub features 81 high-search authorities. All 296 remain searchable in the council tax calculator.

Divide by 12 for a simple monthly figure, or by 10 if your council collects over the common April–January instalment schedule. England average Band D £2,392.00 ≈ £199.33/month.

Yes — England Council Tax bands still reflect 1 April 1991 values. Your band does not automatically update when you move borough; the property’s listed band does.

Liability usually sits with the resident(s) named on the bill. Living with others can remove the single person discount — confirm with the council, not this hub.

Key finding

Council tax by borough for 2026

On MHCLG 2026/27 area Band D, Wandsworth is lowest on this hub at £1,028.21 and Nottingham is highest at £2,755.39. London borough average ≈ £2,090.08 vs metropolitan districts ≈ £2,427.66 (England average £2,392.00). Westminster (£1,049.55) undercuts Manchester (£2,312.04) by £1,262.49 — a classic London vs rest-of-England corridor.

81 England authorities ranked by area Band D (2026/27) — London boroughs, metropolitan districts, and key unitaries.

Lowest: Wandsworth (£1,028.21); highest on hub: Nottingham (£2,755.39).

London average ≈ £2,090.08 — below metro-district average ≈ £2,427.66 and England average £2,392.00.

Within London: Wandsworth £1,028.21 → Kingston upon Thames £2,609.20 (span £1,580.99).

Westminster vs Manchester: £1,049.55 vs £2,312.04 (gap £1,262.49).

Birmingham vs Leeds: £2,362.90 vs £2,283.73 (gap £79.17).

Wandsworth vs Croydon: £1,028.21 vs £2,599.91 (gap £1,571.70); Kingston upon Thames is London’s highest at £2,609.20.

Band C ranks identically to Band D under England ninths (8/9 of Band D).

Area Band D includes major precepts (GLA in London, police/fire elsewhere).

Single adult discount is 25% of the full bill — shown on every profile.

Wales and Scotland use different systems — enter Band D manually in the calculator for now.

What this council tax hub covers

81 England billing authorities ranked by MHCLG area Band D for 2026/27 — London boroughs, metropolitan districts, and key unitaries. England average Band D is £2,392.00.

Band D scoreboard

Lowest area Band D ranks #1 across featured authorities

Band C companion

Always 8/9 of Band D — same rank order as Band D

Full A–H ladders

Statutory ninths on every borough profile

Corridors

Westminster↔Manchester, Birmingham↔Leeds, and more

How a household council tax bill is built

Step 1
Find your valuation band
GOV.UK / your council lists the property’s Band A–H (England). That band — not the borough average alone — sets your starting charge.
Step 2
Start from the authority’s Band D
This hub’s MHCLG area Band D is the official 2026/27 comparator (including major precepts). Multiply by the statutory ninths for your band.
Step 3
Apply discounts or exemptions
Single adult −25%; all disregarded −50%; some dwellings are fully exempt (e.g. student-only). Confirm with the billing authority.
Step 4
Check parish / premiums
Some areas add a parish precept or empty/second-home premiums on top of the MHCLG area figure — those are outside this ranking vignette.
Step 5
Pay by instalments
Many councils collect over 10 months (April–January). Annual ÷ 10 ≈ the instalment; the calculator also shows monthly ÷ 12.

How council tax figures are calculated

1. Start from MHCLG area Band D

Official 2026/27 Table 10 figure for each billing authority (including major precepts).

2. Scale other bands via ninths

England Band A–H = 6–18 ninths of Band D. Band C = 8/9.

3. Apply occupancy discounts

Single adult −25%; all disregarded −50%; exemptions modelled separately in the calculator.

4. Rank lowest Band D first

Hub order is cheapest → dearest among London + metros + key unitaries (not all 296 England LAs).

Official England band ninths

LGFA 1992 s.5 sets Band A–H as fixed ninths of Band D. This hub scales every authority from its MHCLG area Band D using these ratios (England has no Band I).

Statutory band ratios (England)

Band	Ninths	Fraction of Band D
Band A	6	6/9 of Band D
Band B	7	7/9 of Band D
Band C	8	8/9 of Band D
Band D	9	9/9 of Band D
Band E	11	11/9 of Band D
Band F	13	13/9 of Band D
Band G	15	15/9 of Band D
Band H	18	18/9 of Band D

What your valuation band means

In England, Council Tax bands are based on 1 April 1991 open-market values (Wales has a later revaluation; Scotland uses different banding). Moving borough does not change your band — the property’s historic valuation does.

Use this hub to compare authorities’ Band D bases, then scale to your actual band on the profile ladder or calculator. A Band C home always pays 8/9 of that authority’s Band D under England law.

Band	Notes	Ratio
A	Lowest valuation band	6/9 of Band D
B	—	7/9 of Band D
C	Common mid-market band	8/9 of Band D
D	Reference / average band	9/9 (100%)
E–G	Higher valuation bands	11/9–15/9
H	Highest England band	18/9 (2× Band D)

Worked council tax examples

Lowest on hub — Wandsworth Band D

MHCLG area Band D = £1,028.21.
Band C = 8/9 × Band D ≈ £913.96.
Single adult Band D ≈ £771.16 (25% off).
Band H = 18/9 × Band D ≈ £2,056.42.

Band D: £1,028.21
Band C: £913.96

Matches CT_UK_ENGLAND_AUTHORITIES wandsworth lock (~£1,028.21) in council-tax-uk tests.

England average Band D hand-check

MHCLG England average Band D = £2,392.00.
Band C = 8/9 × £2,392.00 ≈ £2,126.22.
Single adult Band D ≈ £1,794.00.

Band D: £2,392.00
Band C: £2,126.22

Same England average used by calculateCouncilTaxUk vsEnglandAverageAnnual.

Westminster vs Manchester

Westminster Band D £1,049.55 vs Manchester £2,312.04.
Gap ≈ £1,262.49 per year on Band D (2-adult).
Band C gap ≈ £1,122.22 — same winner.
Classic London vs rest-of-England corridor for relocators.

Band D: £1,049.55
Band C: £932.93

Priority corridor — Westminster undercuts Manchester by ~£1,262.

Birmingham vs Leeds

Birmingham £2,362.90 vs Leeds £2,283.73.
Gap ≈ £79.17 on Band D — Leeds is cheaper.
Both metropolitan districts; same England ninths, different precept totals.

Band D: £2,362.90
Band C: £2,100.36

User-requested metro corridor (~£79 gap).

Wandsworth vs Croydon (London extremes)

Wandsworth £1,028.21 vs Croydon £2,599.91.
Gap ≈ £1,571.70 on Band D — among the largest London swings.
Kingston upon Thames is slightly above Croydon as London’s highest Band D.

Band D: £1,028.21
Band C: £913.96

Shows borough choice inside London can exceed £1,500 on Band D.

Monthly & 10-month budgeting examples

Convert area Band D into cashflow figures. Many councils collect over 10 months (April–January); ÷12 is a simple monthly average.

England average Band D

£2,392.00

÷12 monthly: £199.33
÷10 instalment: £239.20
Single ÷12: £149.50

MHCLG England-wide average — useful budgeting baseline before picking a borough.

Wandsworth

£1,028.21

÷12 monthly: £85.68
÷10 instalment: £102.82
Single ÷12: £64.26

Lowest featured Band D on this hub.

Nottingham

£2,755.39

÷12 monthly: £229.62
÷10 instalment: £275.54
Single ÷12: £172.21

Highest featured Band D on this hub.

London extremes at a glance

Cheapest London

Wandsworth

£1,028.21

Dearest London

Kingston upon Thames

£2,609.20

Span · avg vs Eng

£1,580.99

London avg £2,090.08 (£301.92 below England)

Region snapshots (featured authorities)

Averages among authorities listed on this hub — not every shire district in the region. Sorted by average Band D (lowest first).

London

£2,090.08

33 authorities · Wandsworth £1,028.21 → Kingston upon Thames £2,609.20

Yorkshire and the Humber

£2,347.51

10 authorities · Doncaster £2,167.75 → Sheffield £2,510.16

West Midlands

£2,376.09

7 authorities · Dudley £2,144.84 → Walsall £2,627.48

East of England

£2,467.02

1 authorities · Cambridge £2,467.02 → Cambridge £2,467.02

North East

£2,470.27

5 authorities · Sunderland £2,197.14 → Gateshead £2,715.81

North West

£2,481.60

15 authorities · Wigan £2,152.68 → Liverpool £2,673.59

South East

£2,486.19

6 authorities · Portsmouth £2,291.71 → Oxford £2,678.40

South West

£2,577.77

2 authorities · Plymouth £2,441.85 → Bristol £2,713.68

East Midlands

£2,642.07

2 authorities · Leicester £2,528.75 → Nottingham £2,755.39

Major precepts and the GLA

MHCLG area Band D is not the billing authority’s basic amount alone — it includes major precepts such as the Greater London Authority (London), police, and fire.

That is why every London figure on this hub already embeds the GLA precept. Comparing Wandsworth (£1,028.21) to Kingston (£2,609.20) is still apples-to-apples on the official area measure.

Outside London, police and fire precepts likewise sit inside the MHCLG Table 10 field we rank. Parish and town council precepts can still add a local top-up not broken out here.

Discount facts

Single person −25%

One counted adult: Wandsworth Band D falls to ≈ £771.16; Nottingham to ≈ £2,066.54.

All disregarded −50%

If every adult is disregarded, the bill halves — model that toggle in the calculator (not the hub vignette).

Rank order unchanged

Percentage discounts scale every authority equally — #1 on full Band D stays #1 after single discount.

How council tax rankings work

Every figure is the MHCLG 2026/27 area Band D for the billing authority — the standard England comparator, including major precepts.

We rank 81 authorities: all 33 London boroughs, 36 metropolitan districts, and 12 high-search unitaries (Bristol, Nottingham, Cambridge, and more).

Wandsworth leads at £1,028.21. Band C is shown for readers who live in Band C homes, but it never changes the order.

London vs rest of England

London borough average Band D ≈ £2,090.08; metropolitan districts average ≈ £2,427.66; England-wide average £2,392.00.

That “London is always more expensive” headline fails on council tax averages — but borough choice still swings thousands of pounds (Wandsworth vs Kingston upon Thames: £1,580.99).

Westminster (£1,049.55) vs Manchester (£2,312.04) is the relocation corridor people actually search.

London borough extremes

Cheapest: Wandsworth at £1,028.21. Dearest: Kingston upon Thames at £2,609.20.

Croydon (£2,599.91) sits just below Kingston — both illustrate how Outer London precept totals can exceed many northern metros.

GLA precept is already inside every London MHCLG area Band D on this hub.

Birmingham vs Leeds

Two large metropolitan districts: Birmingham £2,362.90 vs Leeds £2,283.73 — gap £79.17.

Same England band system; differences are local + major precept totals for each billing authority.

Discounts and valuation bands

England scales Band A–H from Band D using fixed ninths (6/9 through 18/9). Your home’s valuation band — not the borough average alone — sets the starting bill.

Single person discount (−25%) and all-disregarded (−50%) apply after the band charge. Exemptions (e.g. student-only dwellings) can zero the bill — confirm with the council.

Budgeting council tax with rent

England average Band D £2,392.00 is about £199.33 per month (÷12) or £239.20 on a 10-month instalment schedule.

Wandsworth ≈ £85.68/month on Band D; Nottingham ≈ £229.62/month — add that to rent before calling a move “cheaper.”

Pair this hub with metro paycheck examples UK when salary and housing costs both change.

Wales and Scotland (coming later)

Wales and Scotland set council tax under different frameworks. This hub is England-first using MHCLG Table 10.

Until nation-average pages ship, enter a published Band D in the calculator and switch nation for correct band ratios (Wales includes Band I).

Limitations

Not every England LA is listed — shire districts outside the featured set remain in the calculator dropdown.

Engine review 2026-08-10. Educational rankings — confirm with your council bill.

Decision guides

Renting in London

Ask which borough the postcode sits in before signing. Wandsworth vs Kingston upon Thames is about £1,580.99 on Band D — often larger than a month’s rent difference between similar flats.

Job offer outside London

Westminster (£1,049.55) vs Manchester (£2,312.04) shows a £1,262.49 Band D gap — pair it with take-home pay from the UK metro paycheck hub.

Buying vs renting

Stamp duty is a one-off purchase tax; council tax is annual. Use stamp-duty-by-uk-nation for completion day, this hub for the yearly occupancy cost.

Living alone

Apply the 25% single person discount after you pick a borough — rankings do not flip, but cash savings still matter for monthly budgets.

Rent vs council tax tips

Ask for borough, not just postcode

Agents quote rent by street; council tax follows the billing authority. Confirm the LA before comparing net housing cost.

Add council tax to the affordability check

A £100/month rent “saving” can disappear if you move from a low-Band-D London borough into a high-precept metro district.

Band matters more than headlines

Two flats in the same borough can differ by Band B vs Band E — use the profile ladder, not only the Band D ranking.

Myths vs reality

“All of London has sky-high council tax.”

London borough average sits below the England Band D average (£2,392.00). Wandsworth (£1,028.21) is England’s lowest on this hub; Kingston upon Thames (£2,609.20) is London’s highest.

“Band C rankings look totally different from Band D.”

England Band C is always 8/9 of Band D — the rank order never flips between Band C and Band D.

“The MHCLG figure is what every household pays.”

It is the area Band D 2-adult equivalent including major precepts. Your bill depends on valuation band, discounts, parish precepts, and exemptions.

“Moving borough within London does not change council tax.”

London extremes span £1,028.21 (Wandsworth) to £2,609.20 (Kingston upon Thames) — about £1,580.99 on Band D. Croydon (£2,599.91) is close behind Kingston.

“Metropolitan cities always undercut London.”

Not always — Nottingham leads this hub at £2,755.39, above every London borough. Many northern metros sit near the England average while several London boroughs sit well below it.

“Single discount changes which borough ranks cheapest.”

A flat 25% cut scales every authority the same way — cheapest Band D stays cheapest after the single person discount.

How to use this hub

Scan Band D rankings. Lowest Band D ranks #1 — useful when comparing relocation or rental shortlists.
Open a borough profile. See Band A–H ladder, single discount, and vs England average.
Compare corridors. Westminster vs Manchester, Birmingham vs Leeds, Wandsworth vs Croydon, and more.
Check London vs rest of England. London average often undercuts metro-district averages — borough choice still matters.
Personalize. Run your band, occupancy, and disability reduction in the UK council tax calculator.

Who this is for

Renters & relocators

Compare borough Band D before shortlisting postcodes — rent quotes omit council tax.

London movers

Inner vs outer borough gaps can exceed £1,500 on Band D — Wandsworth vs Kingston/Croydon is the extreme.

Metro job offers

Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds, Liverpool — same PAYE nation, different local bills.

Newsrooms

Fixed MHCLG Band D + quotable London vs rest-of-England lines for citations.

Glossary

Area Band D: MHCLG average Band D council tax for the billing authority including local and major precepts (2-adult equivalent).
Band C: England statutory ratio: 8/9 of Band D (LGFA 1992 s.5).
Band H: Highest England valuation band — 18/9 (2×) of Band D.
Major precepts: Amounts billed for bodies such as the GLA, police, and fire authorities — included in MHCLG area Band D.
Single person discount: 25% reduction when only one counted adult lives in the dwelling (gov.uk).
All disregarded discount: 50% reduction when every adult in the household is disregarded (gov.uk).
London borough: Inner or Outer London billing authority (33 on this hub, including City of London).
Metropolitan district: Metropolitan borough / city council in England’s metropolitan counties (36 on this hub).
England average Band D: MHCLG England-wide average for 2026/27: £2,392.00.
Ten-month instalments: Many councils collect over 10 months (April–January); annual ÷ 10 ≈ monthly instalment shown in the calculator.

Validation notes

Last engine review 2026-08-10. Locked against MHCLG Table 10 area Band D and England statutory ninths (81 featured authorities).

Wandsworth Band D locks to £1,028.21 (lowest on hub); Band C £913.96; single £771.16.
Nottingham £2,755.39 is highest among the 81 featured authorities.
Birmingham £2,362.90; Leeds £2,283.73 — gap £79.17.
Westminster £1,049.55; Manchester £2,312.04 — gap £1,262.49.
London extremes: Wandsworth → Kingston upon Thames (span £1,580.99); Kingston £2,609.20, Croydon £2,599.91.
London average £2,090.08 vs England £2,392.00 (£301.92 below).
England average Band D locks to £2,392.00.
33 London · 36 metropolitan districts · 81 featured (of 296 England LAs in the calculator).
Every Band A–H ladder row matches calculateCouncilTaxUk for that authority’s MHCLG Band D.
Source: MHCLG Council Tax levels Table 10 — area Band D 2026-27 (OGL), published 25 March 2026.
Not advice — confirm your bill with the billing authority.

What this vignette excludes

Parish / town council precept add-ons beyond the MHCLG area figure
Wales and Scotland local authority schedules (manual Band D in calculator)
Student-only and other full exemptions (modelled in calculator)
Empty-home / second-home premiums
Disability band reduction edge cases beyond calculator toggle
Non-domestic rates (business rates)

Wandsworth leads at £1,028.21 — Nottingham tops at £2,755.39

Quick facts

Cheapest & dearest Band D (top 10)

Lowest 10 area Band D

Highest 10 area Band D

Area Band D by authority

London boroughs only

Metropolitan districts

Popular council tax corridors

Westminster vs Manchester

Birmingham vs Leeds

Wandsworth vs Westminster

Wandsworth vs Croydon

Westminster vs Birmingham

Wandsworth vs Birmingham

Manchester vs Leeds

Liverpool vs Manchester

Sheffield vs Leeds

Bristol vs Birmingham

Tower Hamlets vs Newham

Islington vs Hackney

Kensington & Chelsea vs Westminster

Newcastle vs Liverpool

Compare any two authorities

Planning tips

Check your valuation band

Ask about single discount

GLA & major precepts

Personalize discounts

FAQs

Which borough has the lowest council tax on this hub?

Which is highest?

Why Band D instead of Band C?

How does Westminster compare to Manchester?

Is London more expensive than the rest of England?

What are London’s cheapest and dearest boroughs?

Does single person discount change the ranking?

What about Wales and Scotland?

Does this include the GLA precept?

Are all 296 England councils listed?

How do I turn Band D into a monthly budget?

Do 1991 valuations still apply in England?

Who pays if I’m a lodger or flatmate?

Related tools

Council tax by borough for 2026

What this council tax hub covers

Band D scoreboard

Band C companion

Full A–H ladders

Corridors

How a household council tax bill is built

Find your valuation band

Start from the authority’s Band D

Apply discounts or exemptions

Check parish / premiums

Pay by instalments

How council tax figures are calculated

1. Start from MHCLG area Band D

2. Scale other bands via ninths

3. Apply occupancy discounts

4. Rank lowest Band D first

Official England band ninths

Statutory band ratios (England)

What your valuation band means

Worked council tax examples

Lowest on hub — Wandsworth Band D

England average Band D hand-check

Westminster vs Manchester

Birmingham vs Leeds

Wandsworth vs Croydon (London extremes)

Monthly & 10-month budgeting examples

England average Band D

Wandsworth

Nottingham

London extremes at a glance

Region snapshots (featured authorities)

London

Yorkshire and the Humber

West Midlands

East of England