What are the average bills for a UK household in 2026?

by | 29 Jan 2026 | Bills, Broadband & Phone, Council Tax, Electricity & Gas

Are you paying more or less than the average bills in the UK? While every home’s costs for utilities and services are different, knowing what the average bills are across the UK makes it easier to budget and spot where you could save.

We’ve looked at the average monthly costs for electricity, gas, Council Tax, water, internet and more.

Looking to save on your bills? Book a free call with our Connections Experts to get recommendations for saving money and improving your utilities.

 

Average bills in 2026 at a glance

The table below shows the predicted average bills for a UK household of 3-4 residents in January 2026.

Utility/ service Average monthly cost in January 2026
Gas and Electricity £146.50
Water £50.25
Council Tax £190
Broadband £39.50

 

What are typical energy bills in 2026?

Under the current energy price cap, a typical household spends £1,758 a year or £146.50 a month on gas and electricity.

Current predictions are that energy bills will fall in April 2026. This is due to a combination of factors, including lower energy standing charges and average savings of £150 from changes announced in the 2026 budget.

The April 2026 energy price cap has not yet been confirmed, but predictions show an average household spend of £1,649 a year or £137.42 a month.

This amount is for both gas and electricity, and includes the daily standing charge as well as typical usage. Remember – you can cut your energy bills by saving power at home.

 

Average water bills will go up in 2026

Water bills vary between areas, with regional suppliers responsible for both waste and clean water. The current average water bill in the UK is £603 a year or £50.25 a month.

Water bills rose an average of 26% in April 2025, and are expected to rise again in April 2026. This is in large part due to ongoing upgrades and investment in the UK’s water infrastructure, with £96bn expected to be spent by 2030.

 

What are the average bills for Council Tax in 2026? When will it change?

The current average Council tax bill for a Band D property is £2,280 a year, or £190 a month.

For most households, this will rise by a fixed 5% in April at the start of the new financial year. However, six areas have been given permission to raise bills by more than this value in a bid to avoid bankruptcy.

 

How much does the average household pay for internet in 2026?

Currently, UK households pay an average of £35.90 a month for broadband internet. This too is expected to rise in April, with providers increasing monthly bills by £3-£4 for most customers.

If your current broadband plan is outside of its minimum contract period – typically 12-24 months – you might be able to save by switching providers before April. To avoid future price hikes, look for a broadband supplier that guarantees no mid-contract price rises, and be sure to read the small print of your contract to check if it includes a scheduled price increase.

 

Other bills and services: Make sure you budget for these extra costs

While the costs above are all essential utilities, there are other household bills you might need to budget for, including:

  • A TV licence, which costs £174.50 a year or £14.54 a month
  • Contents insurance, which costs the average home £132 a year or £11 a month
  • Your mobile phon contract, with the average SIM and handset contract costing around £35 a month
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