Exeter is Devon’s county city, located at the gateway to the South West. It has one of the UK’s best-preserved historic city centres, a world-ranked university, and fast rail connections to London. Demand consistently outpaces supply, making it more expensive than much of the surrounding region.
For comparisons see our Cost of Living in Plymouth guide and our Cost of Living by City hub.
Exeter Cost of Living Summary 2026
| Category | Single (monthly) | Couple (monthly) | Family (monthly) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (average) | £780–£1,050 | £1,000–£1,350 | £1,150–£1,550 |
| Utilities | £115–£165 | £145–£195 | £175–£245 |
| Council Tax (Band D) | ~£220 | ~£220 | ~£220 |
| Transport | £65–£260 | £130–£380 | £165–£430 |
| Groceries | £178–£256 | £315–£415 | £405–£545 |
| Internet and mobile | £40–£62 | £50–£70 | £60–£88 |
| Entertainment | £75–£155 | £130–£265 | £165–£325 |
| Total (excl. rent) | £693–£1,118 | £1,170–£1,545 | £1,170–£1,853 |
| Total (incl. rent) | £1,473–£2,168 | £2,170–£2,895 | £2,320–£3,403 |
Housing Costs in Exeter
Rental Prices by Area (2026)
| Area | 1-bed flat | 2-bed flat | 3-bed house | Character |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| City Centre / Cathedral Quarter | £950–£1,250 | £1,200–£1,600 | £1,500–£2,000 | Historic, premium |
| St Leonards | £900–£1,200 | £1,150–£1,550 | £1,400–£1,900 | Affluent, Victorian |
| Heavitree | £800–£1,080 | £1,030–£1,380 | £1,250–£1,680 | Family residential |
| Pinhoe | £750–£1,010 | £960–£1,290 | £1,150–£1,540 | Suburban, family |
| Whipton | £700–£940 | £890–£1,200 | £1,080–£1,440 | Affordable |
| Countess Wear | £680–£910 | £860–£1,160 | £1,040–£1,400 | Most affordable |
Buying in Exeter
| Area | Average house price | First-time buyer viable? |
|---|---|---|
| St Leonards / Cathedral Quarter | £350,000–£600,000+ | Difficult |
| Heavitree | £250,000–£380,000 | With deposit |
| Pinhoe / Whipton | £220,000–£350,000 | Achievable |
| Countess Wear | £195,000–£300,000 | Accessible |
Transport
Exeter has GWR trains to London Paddington (1 hour 55 minutes – 2 hours 20 minutes) — unusually fast for a city this distance. The city also connects south to Plymouth and across to Bristol.
| Route | Journey | Monthly season ticket |
|---|---|---|
| Exeter → London Paddington | 1h 55–2h 20m | £450–£550 |
| Exeter → Plymouth | 55–70 mins | £90–£120 |
| Exeter → Bristol | 55–75 mins | £130–£165 |
| Local bus pass | — | ~£65 |
Cycling is practical in central Exeter with a reasonable network of lanes and a flat city centre core.
What Salary Do You Need?
| Lifestyle | Annual salary (single person) |
|---|---|
| Minimum (shared house) | £21,000–£25,000 |
| Comfortable (own 1-bed flat) | £26,000–£32,000 |
| Good quality of life (savings, car) | £32,000–£40,000 |
| Premium (own home, car, holidays) | £44,000+ |
Exeter vs Other South West Cities
| City | 1-bed city centre | Character | Relative cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exeter | £850–£1,150 | Cathedral city, university | Mid |
| Plymouth | £700–£950 | Port city, affordable | Cheaper |
| Bournemouth | £850–£1,150 | Coastal, beach | Similar |
| Bath | £1,100–£1,500 | Georgian, premium | More expensive |
| Bristol | £1,050–£1,400 | Major city, creative | More expensive |
Economy and Employment in Exeter
Understanding the local employment market helps assess whether a salary offer in Exeter makes sense in context.
| Exeter employment profile | |
|---|---|
| Key sectors | Education, Public Sector, Tech |
| Key employers | University of Exeter, Met Office, Flybe (legacy), NHS |
| Graduate opportunities | Available in tech, public sector and education |
| Remote working impact | Growing number of professionals commuting to larger centres or working fully remote |
Exeter is primarily a education, public sector, tech economy. This profile shapes salary expectations — roles in the dominant sectors typically pay well relative to local rents, while consumer-facing roles (hospitality, retail) align closely to the National Living Wage.
For those relocating to Exeter for work, the relatively lower cost of living compared to London and the South East means that a salary of £28,000–£38,000 can provide a comfortable lifestyle — equivalent to £45,000–£55,000 in greater London in purchasing power terms.
See our Cost of Living in Plymouth guide, Cost of Living in Bath guide, and average UK salary guide.