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
In 2026, the average UK monthly utility bill covering energy, water, Council Tax, and broadband is approximately £425. It’s worth noting that this varies depending on the region your property is in and household usage.
The table below shows the predicted average bills for a UK household of 3-4 residents in 2026.
| Utility / Service | Average Monthly Cost (from April 2026) |
|---|---|
| Gas and Electricity | £136.75 (approx.)1 |
| Water and Wastewater | £53.25 (approx.)2 |
| Council Tax (Band D) | £199.33 (approx.)3 |
| Broadband | £31.00 – £35.904 |
1 Based on the new Ofgem annual price cap of £1,641 (effective 1 April – 30 June 2026).
2 Based on the confirmed 2026/27 national average annual bill of £639 in England and Wales.
3 Based on the confirmed 2026/27 average Band D council tax in England of £2,392.
4 Average costs vary by provider; many will increase by approximately £3–£4 per month from April 2026.
What are typical energy bills in 2026?
Starting 1 April 2026, average monthly energy bills in the UK are set to decrease as the Ofgem price cap falls to £1,641 per year for a typical household.
| Usage (Household size) | Average monthly dual fuel energy bill from 1 April 2026 |
|---|---|
| Low (typically 1-2 people/bedrooms) | £105 |
| Medium (typically 2-3 people) | £147 |
| High (typically 4-5 people) | £208 |
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.
| Company (region) | 2025-26 (Avg) | 2026-27 (Forecast) | Change (£) | Change (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southern Water | £704 | £759 | £55 | 7.8% |
| South West Water | £701 | £740 | £39 | 5.6% |
| Wessex Water | £678 | £695 | £17 | 2.5% |
| Thames Water | £655 | £658 | £3 | 0.5% |
| Dŵr Cymru (Welsh Water) | £652 | £683 | £31 | 4.8% |
| Anglian Water | £630 | £674 | £44 | 7.0% |
| United Utilities | £603 | £660 | £57 | 9.5% |
| Yorkshire Water | £602 | £636 | £34 | 5.6% |
| Severn Trent Water | £535 | £587 | £52 | 9.7% |
| Northumbrian Water | £504 | £535 | £31 | 6.2% |
What are the average bills for Council Tax in 2026?
The current average Council tax bill for a Band D property is £2,280 a year, or £190 a month (2025/2026 year).
Based on the latest data for the 2026/27 financial year, the average Band D council tax bill in England has risen to £2,392, an increase of £111 (4.9%) from the previous year.
| Period | Average Band D Bill |
|---|---|
| Annual Bill (2026/27) | £2,392 |
| Monthly Bill (12-month spread) | £199.33 |
| Monthly Bill (Standard 10-month spread) | £239.20 |
Based on the latest data for the 2026/27 financial year, the average Band D council tax bill in England will rise to £2,392, an increase of £111 (4.9%) from the previous year. While most local authorities are capped at a 5% increase, the government has granted exceptional permission to seven councils to exceed this limit due to significant financial pressures.
Exceptional Council Tax hikes in 2026
The following seven councils have been authorised to implement increases above the standard 5% cap for the current year:
While most local authorities are capped at a 5% increase, the government has granted exceptional permission to seven councils to exceed this limit due to extreme financial pressure.
| Increase Rate | Authorised Local Authorities |
|---|---|
| 8.99% | North Somerset, Shropshire, and Worcestershire |
| 7.49% | Trafford, Warrington, and Windsor & Maidenhead |
| 6.74% | Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole |
Regional variations
Council tax levels vary significantly by region, with London maintaining the lowest average rates despite seeing a 4.4% rise this year:
| Region Type | Average Band D Bill | Increase vs 2025/26 |
|---|---|---|
| London | £2,068 | +4.4% |
| Metropolitan Areas | £2,409 | +5.2% |
| Unitary Authorities | £2,490 | +5.3% |
How much does the average UK 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.
April 2026 price increase, by provider
| Provider | Fixed Monthly Increase | Annual Increase |
|---|---|---|
| BT / EE | £4.00 | £48.00 |
| Virgin Media | £4.00 | £48.00 |
| TalkTalk | £4.00 | £48.00 |
| Plusnet | £4.00 | £48.00 |
| Vodafone | £3.50 | £42.00 |
| Three Broadband | £3.50 | £42.00 |
| Sky | £3.00 | £36.00 |
| Hyperoptic | £4.00 | £48.00 |
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.
How to reduce your broadband bill
The best way to reduce your broadband bill is by switching providers as soon as your initial contract term ends.
Find a value broadband or mobile plan
Customers who stay with the same provider out of contract are often hit with a “loyalty penalty,” paying an average of £183.60 more per year than those on introductory deals. Under Ofcom rules, your provider must send you an End of Contract Notification, which is the perfect trigger to compare the market. If you are happy with your current service but want a lower price, you can also use these competitor deals as leverage to haggle for a better rate with your existing provider’s retention department.
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:
- 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 phone contract, with the average SIM and handset contract costing around £35 a month
