UK Cost of Living Rankings 2026

UK areas ranked using official government data on council tax, earnings, rent and house prices.

Cheapest places to live

Areas ranked by council tax (Band D) from lowest to highest - based on 351 ranked UK areas.

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Most expensive places to live

Where the council tax bill bites hardest. 351 areas sorted from highest to lowest.

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Best value places to live

Where your salary goes furthest, by earnings-to-council-tax ratio. 349 areas with both data points.

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All rankings are based on official government data: council tax figures from MHCLG (England), the Scottish Government and the Welsh Government for 2026-27, and earnings from the ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings. Read more on the About page.