Cost of living · 2026/27
Birmingham: Cost of Living 2026/27
UK's second-largest city by population. Council tax rose steeply after Birmingham City Council's September 2023 Section 114 notice, though the 2026/27 area Band D still sits below most other big English cities. Rent reasonable relative to the size.
At a glance
- Typical 2-bed rent
- £1,000/mo
- Council Tax Band D
- £2,363/yr
- Median annual pay (FT)
- £39,572
- Population
- 1,157,000
Note. Birmingham City Council raised Council Tax 9.99% in 2024/25 and 7.49% in 2025/26 under exceptional referendum-principle flexibility following its 2023 Section 114 notice, then 4.99% in 2026/27 (MHCLG Table 8a).
Take-home after rent in Birmingham
Monthly take-home for common UK salaries, using England tax rates (our salary calculator), then subtracting typical rent and monthly council tax / rates.
| Gross | Take-home /mo | After rent | After rent + council tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| £39,572 (local median) | £2,668 | £1,668 | £1,471 |
| £50,000 | £3,293 | £2,293 | £2,096 |
| £75,000 | £4,505 | £3,505 | £3,308 |
| £100,000 | £5,713 | £4,713 | £4,516 |
Primary industries in Birmingham
- Advanced manufacturing
- Financial services
- Professional services
- Logistics