DEPENDING on what part of the county you live in can mean you pay quite different amounts of council tax, even if you live in a similarly valued property reports the Local Democracy Reporter.

While much of the council tax you pay is the same, such as the amount of money that goes to Essex Police, your local council will also charge you, and depending on where you live, that can be a lot more than other places.

Basildon has the highest council tax charge, and the average Band D rate has risen from £2,147.31 in 2024/25 to £2,232.09 in 2025/26, although that’s not including parish council precepts, which also vary massively across Essex.

The county council’s share of your council tax has gone from £295.74 per annum to £304.56.

Talking previously to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, Gavin Callaghan, Basildon Council’s Labour leader, said: “We are hindered by what the last government left us with; local government finance is broken. There will be a rise in council tax at three per cent; it’s not something I like to do.

“When I was last in power, the rules from the Government meant we could do more with commercial acquisition and making money from it. We were able to bring in more money, now we’re hindered and have not got the leavers we used to have and it puts more burden on the taxpayer.”

Council tax rises coincide with the Essex Police precept rising from £246.42 to £260.37, the fire precept going from £82.62 to £87.57, and Essex County Council from £1,522.53 to £1,579.59.

The cheapest council tax bill from Band D taxpayers is being levied by Epping Forest District Council, where the total bill is being set at £2,099.52 – up from £2,018.57. The county council’s share has gone from £167 to £171.99.

Epping Forest councillor Holly Whitbread said after the budget: “This is a tough budget, and we will have to make some tough choices.

“There is no question councillors would have preferred not to make some of the cuts. However, despite the difficult picture, the key public services our residents demand and require have been protected.

“At £172 for a Band D property, I believe the council’s projected share of council tax represented very good value for money for council services. We have allocated our resources where they can do the most good. The interests of our residents will always be our top priority.”

Council Total band D council tax bill excluding parishes 2024/25 Total band D council tax bill excluding parishes 2025/26
Epping £2018.57 £2,099.52
Uttlesford 2028.31 £2,109.55
Tendring 2,032.74 £2,127.05
Brentwood 2062.27 £2,144.53
Colchester £2,069.49 £2,151.97
Chelmsford 2,084.49 £2,155.60
Maldon £2,076.84 £2,159.54
Rochford 2111.57 £2,195.19
Harlow £2,140.47 £2,216.43
Braintree 2051.64 £2,217.69
Castle Point 2,133.36 £2,217.69
Basildon 2147.31 £2,232.09