Which London borough is cheapest for council tax?

Wandsworth has the lowest Band D council tax of any London borough at £991 for 2025/26 — including the Greater London Authority precept. Wandsworth and Westminster are historically two of the lowest and often trade places at the top of this ranking.

Is the cheapest borough always the best value for families?

No. Low council tax can reflect a wealthier tax base rather than better services, and property prices tend to be higher where council tax is lower (Wandsworth, Westminster, Kensington and Chelsea). Bexley, Barking and Dagenham, and Havering usually offer the best combined value once you factor in house prices.

Does council tax include the Greater London Authority precept?

Yes. All figures on this page are the total Band D charge for 2025/26, including the GLA precept for the Mayor, TfL and the Met.

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Council tax · 2025/26

The cheapest London boroughs for families

Wandsworth is the cheapest London borough for council tax at £991 per year (Band D, 2025/26) — 62% less than Croydon at the top of the table (£2,621). Each row includes the SettleWithUs family score so you can see whether the saving comes with a hit on schools or safety.

How to read this ranking

Cheapest by council tax isn't the same as cheapest overall. Wandsworth and Westminster have the lowest Band D bills in London but among the highest property prices — a low bill often reflects a wealthier tax base, not better value. For a true "cheap for families" pick, look at boroughs where both council tax and property prices are modest: Bexley, Havering and Barking & Dagenham.

Top 5 cheapest boroughs (Band D)

Full ranking — all 32 London boroughs

#	Borough	Band D 2025/26	Family score	Schools	Safety
1	Wandsworth	£991	66	100	100
2	Westminster	£994	36	—	100
3	City of London	£1,194	—	—	—
4	Hammersmith and Fulham	£1,420	51	50	100
5	Kensington and Chelsea	£1,652	40	14	100
6	Southwark	£1,932	49	43	100
7	Newham	£1,938	36	—	100
8	Barking and Dagenham	£1,942	36	—	100
9	Camden	£1,963	59	75	100
10	Tower Hamlets	£1,997	36	—	100
11	Islington	£2,008	48	40	100
12	Lambeth	£2,030	47	38	100
13	Hackney	£2,054	59	75	100
14	Hillingdon	£2,085	36	—	100
15	Bromley	£2,123	36	—	100
16	Barnet	£2,157	36	—	100
17	Greenwich	£2,178	36	—	100
18	Hounslow	£2,179	40	14	100
19	Redbridge	£2,194	36	—	100
20	Ealing	£2,200	41	17	100
21	Waltham Forest	£2,213	44	25	100
22	Merton	£2,225	36	—	100
23	Brent	£2,232	36	—	100
24	Enfield	£2,254	36	—	100
25	Haringey	£2,258	54	60	100
26	Lewisham	£2,272	45	29	100
27	Bexley	£2,287	36	—	100
28	Harrow	£2,310	36	—	100
29	Sutton	£2,317	36	—	100
30	Havering	£2,379	36	—	100
31	Richmond upon Thames	£2,379	36	—	100
32	Kingston upon Thames	£2,488	36	—	100
33	Croydon	£2,621	36	—	100

Source: each borough's published 2025/26 Band D charge, including the Greater London Authority precept. City of London (£1,194) is a distinct authority and shown for reference.

Frequently asked questions

Which London borough is cheapest for council tax?: Wandsworth at £991 for Band D (2025/26), including the GLA precept. Wandsworth and Westminster have been the two lowest for years and typically swap places at the top.
Is council tax the best measure of "cheap" for families?: No — property prices dwarf council tax over a decade of ownership. Use this table to spot boroughs where the annual bill won't quietly cost you a family holiday every year, then cross-reference the SettleWithUs family score for what you actually get in return: schools within a mile, recorded crime, green space, commute.
Where in London is cheapest overall for families?: Bexley, Barking and Dagenham, and Havering pair modest property prices with mid-table council tax. They score lower on schools density and commute than inner boroughs — the tradeoff you'd expect at that price. See the best London boroughs for families ranking for the full picture.

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