Bedford council tax 2026/27
Band D council tax in Bedford is £2,471.74 a year for 2026/27. That's up 5.1% on 2025/26 and £80 more than the England average. Most homes here are in band C: 25% of them.
Band D, 2026/27
£2,471.74 a year
- Council
- Bedford
- Type
- Unitary
- Region
- East of England
- Rank
- the 118th most expensive of 296 councils in England
the 8th most expensive of 45 councils in the East of England - England average
- £2,391.52 Band D
- Figures
- 2026/27, checked 27 October 2026
Bedford council tax bands 2026/27
Yearly charge and the usual monthly payment. Councils collect in 10 monthly payments unless you ask for 12. These are averages across the council area; your parish changes the exact figure (see below).
| Band | A year | Monthly, 10 payments | Monthly, 12 payments |
|---|---|---|---|
| Band A | £1,647.83 | £164.78 | £137.32 |
| Band B | £1,922.46 | £192.25 | £160.21 |
| Band C | £2,197.10 | £219.71 | £183.09 |
| Band D | £2,471.74 | £247.17 | £205.98 |
| Band E | £3,021.02 | £302.10 | £251.75 |
| Band F | £3,570.29 | £357.03 | £297.52 |
| Band G | £4,119.57 | £411.96 | £343.30 |
| Band H | £4,943.48 | £494.35 | £411.96 |
Bands as published by the government (area council tax including the average parish precept). Monthly figures divide the year equally; the first payment can differ by a few pence.
Where your council tax goes
A Band D bill in Bedford is split between 4 bodies. Bedford council's own share is £2,011.28, including £38.31 raised this year for adult social care.
| Set by | Band D | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Bedford council | £2,011.28 | 81% |
| Bedfordshire Police and Crime Commissioner | £297.59 | 12% |
| Bedfordshire fire and rescue | £122.72 | 5% |
| Parish or town council (average) | £40.15 | 2% |
Homes in each band
37% of the 81,570 homes in Bedford are in band A or B, and 12% are in band F or above.
Valuation Office Agency, Council Tax stock of properties, 31 March 2026. Counts are rounded.
Council tax by parish in Bedford
47 parish and town councils in Bedford add their own charge. Band D without any parish is £2,431.59; add the parish share for your area. Other bands are the same fraction of Band D as above.
| Parish or town council | Parish share | Band D total | Change in parish share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biddenham | £36.44 | £2,468.03 | +£3.14 |
| Bletsoe | £120.86 | £2,552.45 | +£2.88 |
| Bolnhurst and Keysoe | £50.72 | £2,482.31 | +£2.25 |
| Brickhill | £35.32 | £2,466.91 | +£0.00 |
| Bromham | £83.50 | £2,515.09 | +£3.60 |
| Cardington | £93.09 | £2,524.68 | +£26.21 |
| Carlton and Chellington | £58.30 | £2,489.89 | +£1.91 |
| Clapham | £56.10 | £2,487.69 | +£4.94 |
| Colmworth | £90.75 | £2,522.34 | +£2.95 |
| Cople | £85.15 | £2,516.74 | +£5.30 |
| Cotton End | £91.00 | £2,522.59 | +£0.00 |
| Dean and Shelton | £34.47 | £2,466.06 | +£0.63 |
| Elstow | £36.13 | £2,467.72 | +£0.59 |
| Felmersham and Radwell | £67.76 | £2,499.35 | +£10.84 |
| Great Barford | £116.72 | £2,548.31 | +£3.54 |
| Great Denham | £24.71 | £2,456.30 | +£1.18 |
| Harrold | £145.12 | £2,576.71 | +£4.29 |
| Kempston Rural | £39.92 | £2,471.51 | −£2.07 |
| Kempston Town | £53.34 | £2,484.93 | −£3.14 |
| Knotting and Souldrop | £54.12 | £2,485.71 | +£2.56 |
| Little Staughton | £33.90 | £2,465.49 | +£1.31 |
| Melchbourne and Yelden | £43.80 | £2,475.39 | +£0.59 |
| Milton Ernest | £54.44 | £2,486.03 | +£2.09 |
| Oakley | £64.42 | £2,496.01 | +£3.04 |
| Odell | £97.11 | £2,528.70 | +£11.95 |
| Pavenham | £52.37 | £2,483.96 | +£6.83 |
| Pertenhall and Swineshead | £48.82 | £2,480.41 | +£2.25 |
| Podington | £75.42 | £2,507.01 | −£0.41 |
| Ravensden | £33.33 | £2,464.92 | +£5.55 |
| Renhold | £21.38 | £2,452.97 | +£0.80 |
| Riseley | £72.96 | £2,504.55 | +£9.22 |
| Roxton | £116.33 | £2,547.92 | +£11.12 |
| Sharnbrook | £78.41 | £2,510.00 | +£3.66 |
| Shortstown | £74.44 | £2,506.03 | +£2.81 |
| Stagsden | £52.06 | £2,483.65 | +£2.96 |
| Staploe | £109.82 | £2,541.41 | +£3.63 |
| Stevington | £83.14 | £2,514.73 | +£10.62 |
| Stewartby and Kempston Hardwick | £157.53 | £2,589.12 | +£18.79 |
| Thurleigh | £38.28 | £2,469.87 | −£0.28 |
| Turvey | £58.93 | £2,490.52 | +£0.00 |
| Wilden | £49.38 | £2,480.97 | −£0.43 |
| Willington | £47.02 | £2,478.61 | +£0.00 |
| Wilshamstead | £58.58 | £2,490.17 | +£2.52 |
| Wixams Town | £43.32 | £2,474.91 | +£2.01 |
| Wootton | £110.86 | £2,542.45 | +£5.29 |
| Wyboston Chawston and Colesden | £61.11 | £2,492.70 | +£2.57 |
| Wymington | £119.34 | £2,550.93 | +£32.07 |
Parish shares from the government's council tax statistics for town and parish councils, 2026/27.
Discounts and premiums in Bedford
Everyone in England gets the national discounts: 25% off if you live alone, nothing to pay for all-student homes, and one band lower if your home has been adapted for a disabled person. How discounts work. Bedford also sets its own rules on second and empty homes:
| Second homes | 100% premium: you pay double the normal chargesince 1 April 2025 |
|---|---|
| Long-term empty homes | 100% premium after 1 year; 200% premium after 5 years; 300% premium after 10 years |
| Local discounts | No premium for 6 months after formal appointment of a person to manage the affairs of a liable person lacking mental capacity; No premium while a s13A discretionary (hardship) reduction is awarded |
Source: Bedford website, checked 27 October 2026.
On a low income? Each English council runs its own Council Tax Reduction scheme for working-age people. Bedford Council Tax Reduction.
Band D in Bedford over the years
Show the figures
| Year | Band D |
|---|---|
| 2026/27 | £2,471.74 |
| 2025/26 | £2,350.94 |
| 2024/25 | £2,237.26 |
| 2023/24 | £2,132.39 |
| 2022/23 | £2,062.73 |
| 2021/22 | £1,985.33 |
| 2020/21 | £1,908.16 |
| 2019/20 | £1,837.04 |
| 2018/19 | £1,772.80 |
| 2017/18 | £1,704.11 |
| 2016/17 | £1,634.44 |
| 2015/16 | £1,577.11 |
| 2014/15 | £1,575.47 |
| 2013/14 | £1,570.56 |
| 2012/13 | £1,563.59 |
| 2011/12 | £1,555.92 |
| 2010/11 | £1,563.71 |
| 2009/10 | £1,527.47 |
| 2008/09 | £1,506.58 |
| 2007/08 | £1,443.39 |
| 2006/07 | £1,383.42 |
| 2005/06 | £1,319.23 |
| 2004/05 | £1,262.68 |
| 2003/04 | £1,169.69 |
| 2002/03 | £1,049.56 |
| 2001/02 | £959.98 |
| 2000/01 | £909.07 |
| 1999/00 | £864.22 |
| 1998/99 | £797.07 |
| 1997/98 | £761.79 |
| 1996/97 | £633.91 |
| 1995/96 | £597.38 |
| 1994/95 | £533.25 |
| 1993/94 | £504.00 |
Band D including the average parish or community precept. 1993/94 to 2026/27.
Nearby councils
| Council | Band D | Difference | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|
| Central Bedfordshire | £2,516.16 | +£44.42 | Compare |
| Huntingdonshire | £2,556.40 | +£84.66 | Compare |
| North Northamptonshire | £2,423.96 | −£47.78 | Compare |
| Milton Keynes | £2,372.21 | −£99.53 | Compare |
Pay, check your band or apply for a discount
This site is independent. To pay, see your exact bill, tell the council you've moved or apply for a discount, use the council's own site.
Questions
How much is council tax in Bedford?
In 2026/27 Band D is £2,471.74 a year. Bands run from £1,647.83 (Band A) to £4,943.48 (Band H). The exact figure depends on your parish or town council.
How much is Band C council tax a month in Bedford?
Band C is £2,197.10 a year: £219.71 a month over 10 payments or £183.09 over 12. Band C is the most common band here (25% of homes).
How much did Bedford council tax go up?
Band D rose from £2,350.94 in 2025/26 to £2,471.74 in 2026/27, an increase of 5.1% (£120.80).
Does Bedford charge extra council tax on second homes?
Yes. Bedford charges a 100% premium on second homes in 2026/27, so the owner pays 200% of the normal charge.
Who do I pay council tax to in Bedford?
You pay Bedford council, which collects the whole bill and passes on the shares set by Bedfordshire Police and Crime Commissioner, Bedfordshire fire and rescue and Parish or town council. Use the council's own website to pay, check your bill or apply for discounts.
Sources
- Council Tax levels set by local authorities in England 2026 to 2027, Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, published 25 March 2026, checked 27 October 2026
- Council Tax: stock of properties, 2026 - CTSOP1.1: number of properties by Council Tax band, local authority and LSOA/MSOA at 31 March 2026 (geography = LAUA rows), Valuation Office Agency, checked 27 October 2026
- Council website (premiums and discounts), checked 27 October 2026
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. How we compile these figures.