Home / Compare / Middlesbrough vs Exeter
City Comparison · 2026

Middlesbrough vs Exeter 2026

Tees Valley
Middlesbrough
Median Salary £28,000
Cost of Living 58/100
Avg Rent (1 bed) £580/mo
Real Take-Home £22,800/yr
Job Growth ↑ 3.2%
Unemployment 6.5%
VS
South West England
Exeter
Median Salary £32,000
Cost of Living 72/100
Avg Rent (1 bed) £950/mo
Real Take-Home £23,800/yr
Job Growth ↑ 4.2%
Unemployment 3.5%
Verdict

Which City Wins?

Best Real-Terms Salary
Exeter
Best take-home pay after accounting for rent and cost of living.
Best for Affordability
Middlesbrough
Lower cost of living index means your money goes further every day.
Highest Headline Salary
Exeter
Higher median salary before cost of living is taken into account.
Lowest Rent
Middlesbrough
More affordable average rents leave more of your salary in your pocket.
Best for Career Growth
Exeter
Higher job growth rate and more active job market for ambitious professionals.
Best Overall Value
Exeter
When salary, cost of living and rent are all considered together.

Top Salaries: Middlesbrough vs Exeter

Middlesbrough

Middlesbrough is the heart of the Tees Valley with a major chemical and manufacturing cluster and significant investment in digital.

Full Middlesbrough Guide →

Exeter

Exeter is one of the fastest growing cities in the UK with a strong professional services and knowledge economy.

Full Exeter Guide →
Live Jobs

Jobs in Middlesbrough

Browse live Middlesbrough vacancies on Reed right now.

Browse Middlesbrough Jobs →
Live Jobs

Jobs in Exeter

Browse live Exeter vacancies on Reed right now.

Browse Exeter Jobs →

More Comparisons

London vs Middlesbrough
£52,800 vs £28,000
Compare →
London vs Exeter
£52,800 vs £32,000
Compare →
Manchester vs Middlesbrough
£36,500 vs £28,000
Compare →
Manchester vs Exeter
£36,500 vs £32,000
Compare →
Birmingham vs Middlesbrough
£33,200 vs £28,000
Compare →
Birmingham vs Exeter
£33,200 vs £32,000
Compare →
All City Comparisons →
Scroll to Top