Council tax in the North West 2026/27
Across the 35 councils in the North West, the middle Band D bill is £2,488.25 for 2026/27. The cheapest is Wigan at £2,152.68 and the most expensive Liverpool at £2,673.59.
What changed for 2026/27
The biggest rise in the North West was in Trafford (8.0%), and the smallest in Hyndburn (3.6%). Most English councils can raise council tax by up to 4.99% a year without a local referendum; a few were allowed more in 2026/27.
Council tax in the North West at a glance
The North West has 35 councils that set council tax: 15 metropolitan districts, 12 shire districts, 8 unitary councils. 30 of them charge more than the England average Band D of £2,391.52 and 5 charge less. Across 3,492,580 homes, the most common band is A, and 60% of homes are in band A or B. 78% are below Band D, so most households pay less than the Band D figure.
In two-tier areas the district collects the bill but the county council's share is usually the biggest part, with police and fire on top. In 27 of the councils, parish or town councils add their own charge, shown on each council's page.
Every council in the North West
| Council | Band D a year | A month (10) | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blackburn with Darwen | £2,455.27 | £245.53 | +5.0% |
| Blackpool | £2,513.22 | £251.32 | +5.1% |
| Bolton | £2,399.74 | £239.97 | +5.9% |
| Burnley | £2,549.42 | £254.94 | +3.8% |
| Bury | £2,555.15 | £255.52 | +5.8% |
| Cheshire East | £2,454.87 | £245.49 | +5.2% |
| Cheshire West and Chester | £2,517.33 | £251.73 | +5.2% |
| Chorley | £2,430.23 | £243.02 | +3.7% |
| Cumberland | £2,511.32 | £251.13 | +4.9% |
| Fylde | £2,483.94 | £248.39 | +4.0% |
| Halton | £2,366.61 | £236.66 | +5.2% |
| Hyndburn | £2,465.98 | £246.60 | +3.6% |
| Knowsley | £2,488.25 | £248.83 | +4.9% |
| Lancaster | £2,503.19 | £250.32 | +4.0% |
| Liverpool | £2,673.59 | £267.36 | +5.0% |
| Manchester | £2,312.04 | £231.20 | +5.9% |
| Oldham | £2,602.23 | £260.22 | +5.8% |
| Pendle | £2,640.18 | £264.02 | +4.1% |
| Preston | £2,575.74 | £257.57 | +4.0% |
| Ribble Valley | £2,386.50 | £238.65 | +3.8% |
| Rochdale | £2,600.83 | £260.08 | +5.8% |
| Rossendale | £2,519.97 | £252.00 | +3.9% |
| Salford | £2,594.45 | £259.45 | +5.8% |
| Sefton | £2,583.22 | £258.32 | +5.0% |
| South Ribble | £2,442.66 | £244.27 | +3.9% |
| St Helens | £2,403.38 | £240.34 | +5.0% |
| Stockport | £2,618.90 | £261.89 | +5.8% |
| Tameside | £2,447.21 | £244.72 | +5.9% |
| Trafford | £2,291.70 | £229.17 | +8.0% |
| Warrington | £2,447.61 | £244.76 | +7.3% |
| West Lancashire | £2,456.23 | £245.62 | +4.0% |
| Westmorland and Furness | £2,507.99 | £250.80 | +5.0% |
| Wigan | £2,152.68 | £215.27 | +6.0% |
| Wirral | £2,500.59 | £250.06 | +5.0% |
| Wyre | £2,460.53 | £246.05 | +4.0% |
Questions
Which council has the lowest council tax in the North West?
Wigan, where Band D is £2,152.68 a year in 2026/27.
Which council has the highest council tax in the North West?
Liverpool, at £2,673.59 for Band D in 2026/27.
What is the most common council tax band in the North West?
Band A: 40% of the 3,492,580 homes. 60% are in band A or B.
Source: Council Tax levels set by local authorities in England 2026 to 2027, Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, 25 March 2026. Band D including average parish precepts.