New research from landlord insurance experts Alan Boswell Group reveals that average council tax per dwelling in England has risen by up to 488.86% since the tax was introduced in 1993 to replace the community charge.
Analysing data from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government covering 1993 and 1994–2026 and 2027, the study highlights significant regional variations across local authorities. Across England as a whole, average council tax per dwelling increased by 309.65%, rising from £456 in 1993 and 1994–£1,868 in 2026 and 2027.
Areas with the highest council tax increases
| Rank | Local Authority | Average Council Tax 1993/94 (£) | Average Council Tax 2026/27 (£) | Absolute Increase (£) | Percentage Increase (%) |
| 1 | Huntingdonshire | £359 | £2,114 | +£1,755 | 488.86% |
| 2 | South Hams | £451 | £2,566 | +£2,115 | 468.96% |
| 3 | South Cambridgeshire | £441 | £2,461 | +£2,020 | 458.05% |
| 4 | Tewkesbury | £370 | £2,061 | +£1,691 | 457.03% |
| 5 | Chichester | £456 | £2,467 | +£2,011 | 441.01% |
| 6 | East Cambridgeshire | £377 | £2,037 | +£1,660 | 440.32% |
| 7 | Hinckley & Bosworth | £350 | £1,856 | +£1,506 | 430.29% |
| 8 | City of London | £347 | £1,836 | +£1,489 | 429.11% |
| 9 | North Norfolk | £392 | £2,054 | +£1,662 | 423.98% |
| 10 | West Oxfordshire | £469 | £2,445 | +£1,976 | 421.32% |
| — | England Average | £456 | £1,868 | +£1,412 | 309.65% |
Areas with the lowest council tax increases
| Rank | Local Authority | Average Council Tax 1993/94 (£) | Average Council Tax 2026/27 (£) | Absolute Increase (£) | Percentage Increase (%) |
| 1 | Wandsworth | £395 | £981 | +£586 | 148.35% |
| 2 | Greenwich | £609 | £1,573 | +£964 | 158.29% |
| 3 | Haringey | £624 | £1,662 | +£1,038 | 166.35% |
| 4 | Newcastle upon Tyne | £528 | £1,454 | +£926 | 175.38% |
| 5 | Hackney | £508 | £1,422 | +£914 | 179.92% |
| 6 | Islington | £572 | £1,650 | +£1,078 | 188.46% |
| 7 | Hammersmith & Fulham | £508 | £1,509 | +£1,001 | 197.05% |
| 8 | Harlow | £571 | £1,712 | +£1,141 | 199.82% |
| 9 | Camden | £650 | £1,998 | +£1,348 | 207.38% |
| 10 | Wigan | £457 | £1,424 | +£967 | 211.60% |
| — | England Average | £456 | £1,868 | +£1,412 | 309.65% |
Expert analysis on long term housing costs
Heath Alexander Bew, Personal Lines Director at Alan Boswell Group, said: “One of the clearest patterns in the data is that many of the areas recording the largest percentage increases started from a relatively low base in 1993. That is important context: a council tax figure of £350 or £400 had much further to rise proportionately over the following three decades than an area where the average was already £600 or more. It shows why looking at both the percentage rise and the actual amount people pay today gives a much fuller picture.”
“It is also striking that London boroughs dominate the list of areas with the smallest percentage increases. Seven of the 10 lowest-growth areas are in London, while many of the largest increases are found in shire districts elsewhere in England. That does not necessarily mean households in London face lower overall costs, but it does show that council tax has developed very differently across different types of local authority since it was introduced.”
“For homeowners and tenants, these long-term differences matter because council tax forms part of the basic cost of living in an area and can add significantly to monthly housing costs. A relatively affordable rent or mortgage payment can look very different once council tax and other household bills are factored in.”
“For landlords, it is worth looking beyond headline rents when assessing affordability in different parts of the country. Where council tax and other household costs are particularly high, tenants may have less room in their budgets for rent increases, which can influence demand and affordability. Understanding these local cost pressures is therefore increasingly important when considering both existing properties and potential investments.”