Council Tax Band D — What You Pay and Is It Fair?

Band D: The UK's Council Tax Benchmark

Band D is the most important council tax band — not necessarily because it's the most common, but because it's the benchmark against which all other bands are calculated. When you hear "average council tax" quoted in the news, it's almost always the Band D figure.

But what does Band D actually mean for your wallet, and are you in the right band?

What Does Band D Cost?

The national average Band D council tax in England for 2025/26 is approximately £2,128 per year. But there's enormous variation:

• Lowest: City of London — ~£935/year
• Highest: Rutland — ~£2,380/year
• London average: ~£1,900/year
• England average: ~£2,128/year
• Wales average: ~£1,869/year
• Scotland average: ~£1,375/year

What Property Value is Band D?

In England, Band D covers properties that were valued between £68,001 and £88,000 on 1 April 1991.

To put that in modern terms, a property worth £68,000-£88,000 in 1991 would typically be worth £250,000-£400,000 today, depending on the area. This is why many "average" modern homes fall into this band.

How Band D Relates to Other Bands

All council tax bands are calculated as a fraction or multiple of Band D:

• Band A: 6/9 of Band D (67%) — £1,418
• Band B: 7/9 of Band D (78%) — £1,655
• Band C: 8/9 of Band D (89%) — £1,891
• Band D: The base rate (100%) — £2,128
• Band E: 11/9 of Band D (122%) — £2,601
• Band F: 13/9 of Band D (144%) — £3,074
• Band G: 15/9 of Band D (167%) — £3,547
• Band H: 18/9 of Band D (200%) — £4,256

Are You in the Right Band?

Many Band D properties should actually be in Band C — particularly in areas where 1991 property values were borderline. If your property was valued at close to £68,000 in 1991, there's a reasonable chance it was rounded up into Band D when it should have been Band C.

The difference between Band C and Band D is approximately £237 per year. Over 30+ years, that's over £7,000 in overpayment.

The quickest way to check is to compare with your neighbours. If you're in Band D but identical properties nearby are in Band C, you may have grounds for an appeal.

Why Band D Varies So Much by Area

Council tax is set by your local council, police authority, and fire authority. Each area sets its own precept (share of the total bill), which is why the same band costs very different amounts in different areas.

Areas with higher costs and lower government funding tend to have higher council tax. Rural areas often have higher per-person costs due to spread-out services, while some London boroughs benefit from larger commercial tax bases.

Should You Challenge Your Band?

If you're in Band D, it's worth checking whether you should be in Band C. Use our free tool to compare with neighbours — if similar properties are in a lower band, you could save thousands.