Birmingham’s residents are set to shoulder the heaviest financial burden from Council Tax increases this year, with households across the city expected to pay an additional £43.1m in 2025/26, data from Go.Compare Home Insurance has revealed.
This marked the largest overall Council Tax hike of any local authority in England.
The findings revealed that Council Tax bills in England are set to rise by a total of £2.1bn this financial year.
Although all regions are facing increases, some areas will be hit particularly hard.
Windsor and Maidenhead stood out with the highest average rise per household, with bills jumping by £169.43 per eligible property compared to the previous year.
In Birmingham, the impact of rising Council Tax has been building steadily. Since the 2022/23 tax year, the city’s overall bill has surged by £136.8m, making it the worst-affected area over the past four years.
The 2025/26 increase alone accounted for 29% of the national rise over this period.
Across England, the average Council Tax rate has climbed by 4.9% for 2025/26.
However, some councils have implemented even steeper increases as they struggle to manage financial pressures.
Among them, Somerset has introduced one of the highest overall hikes, with residents there paying an additional £36.8m collectively.
Other areas with significant increases include North Yorkshire (£33.6m), Bradford (£28.7m), and Buckinghamshire (£27.2m).
When examining average increases per property, Windsor and Maidenhead again topped the list, followed by Somerset (£165.19), Bradford (£163.40), Trafford (£144.20), and Elmbridge (£143.47).
Nathan Blackler, a home insurance expert at Go.Compare, said: “Council Tax is an essential household expense, but for many, these rising costs are putting even more pressure on already stretched budgets.
“If you’re struggling, it’s worth checking if you qualify for Council Tax reductions or any support schemes in your area.
“At the same time, looking for savings on other bills, like home insurance, could help offset some of these rising costs.
“Shopping around for a better deal could make a real difference to your monthly outgoings.”
