What a home really costs
Pick a council and a one-bed or two-bed to rent or buy. It adds council tax, energy, water and the other bills to the rent or the mortgage, so you see the month as it will really be.
Choose a council from the list to see the figures.
Estimate · figures checked 18 Oct 2026 · guidance, not advice · sources
Questions
Which council tax band should I choose?
The one on the listing or the council's website. Band D is where it starts because it's the middle of the scale; most flats are in a lower band. In England and Wales you can look up a home's band on GOV.UK; in Scotland, with the Scottish Assessors.
Is the rent what I'll pay?
It's the ONS average for all private rents in the area, including tenancies that started years ago, so new listings are often higher. Type the listed rent over it.
Why might my energy bill be different?
It uses typical use for a gas-heated flat at Ofgem's price cap for your region. How you use it, your tariff and how well the home keeps the heat in all change it. If you know the last bills, type them in.
Who gets the single person discount?
Someone who is the only adult living in the home gets a 25% discount on council tax. In Scotland the same discount applies to the water and sewerage charge, which is billed with council tax.
Where the figures come from
Each figure's source and date, and how the month is worked out: How the home figures are worked out.
Related tools
Cost each place
Calm Money Home costs every place you look at, rent or buy, the same way and side by side. It works offline and needs no account.
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