Islanders are set to have one of their most expensive years ever, with costs across utilities and groceries set to rise in 2026.

Between an ever-increasing cost of living and additional charges being put on islanders across the year, Express breaks down exactly what will be more expensive in 2026…

Which costs are going up in 2026?

  • Water: Islanders will see an average increase of about 15.5% starting in January 2026, which equates to around £60 more across the year for the average household.
  • Electricity: A 2.5% rise is to be introduced on 1 March 2026, which will cost an additional £60 annually for the average household.
  • Parking: The cost of parking increased by 2.8% from 1 January 2026 for both units and monthly season tickets.
  • Postage: It will cost 2.5% more to send a local letter this year, and 2.8% more to send a letter anywhere else.
  • Groceries: Rising freight costs and “unexpected” harbour dues are expected to drive up food prices on the island.

Water

Jersey Water said the 15.5% rise will fund a £48m five-year investment to mitigate the effects of climate change, limited storage capacity, and the expected population increase.

Above-average increases to water charges are likely to continue from 2027, according to the utility company.

The inflation-busting increase was announced last year as part of the 2026-2030 plan to ward against a potential water deficit of 8.6 million litres a day during severe drought within the next ten years.

The investment will cover a 50% increase in the capacity of the La Moye desalination plant, costed at £26 million, £3.7 million on smart technologies, and £2 million to cover the interim treatment of PFAS and explore long-term solutions.

Electricity

The 2.5% tariff rise in March is expected to fund an investment programme of £180 million over five years, as well as reflecting the increase in the general cost of living and operational costs.

Jersey Electricity said that increasing stability in the global energy markets allowed the firm to keep the rise below inflation, which stood at 2.8% as of September 2025.

Chief executive Chris Ambler said: “This increase reflects a pricing strategy that continues to benchmark well for our community.

“Following the rise, Jersey’s electricity prices will remain amongst the lowest in Europe and the Channel Islands.”

Parking

As of 1 January 2026, the cost of parking for one hour increased to £1.10, and the cost of a monthly season ticket has gone up to £177.64.

The target for increases to parking charges was set at 2.5%; however, this has been increased to 2.8% so that, once GST is added, the charge for a unit is a round number.

A book of ten paycards will now cost £11.

Postage

The price of sending a letter will increase across the board for islanders:

  • Local letters will now cost 82p (up from 80p)
  • Letters to the UK, Isle of Man, and other Channel Islands will now cost £1.40 (up from £1.35)
  • Letters to Europe will now cost £2.35 (up from £2.30)
  • Letters to the rest of the world will now cost £3.10 (up from £3) 

The price of sending a parcel locally has also increased by 20p for a 2kg package.

However, Jersey Post has reduced the price of sending a parcel off-island for the second year in a row.

Groceries

The firm that runs M&S stores in Jersey has warned of a price rise for customers from February 2026, when DFDS starts to add harbour dues levied by Ports of Jersey onto its bills.

Sandpiper CI executive chairman Tony O’Neill suggested that this could cost his business hundreds of thousands of pounds, which would have to be reflected on the shelves.

Retailers on the island have previously raised concerns about being excluded from the decision to award DFDS a 20-year freight contract to supply the island, which they claimed would increase food prices in Jersey.

Morrison’s operations director Andrew Holmes said: “In terms of the additional cost on food retail prices, we’re looking at potentially another 1.2% on top of inflation.”