City Comparison · 2026

Stoke-on-Trent vs Exeter 2026

Staffordshire

Stoke-on-Trent

Median Salary £27,500

Cost of Living 58/100

Avg Rent (1 bed) £600/mo

Real Take-Home £22,400/yr

Job Growth ↑ 3%

Unemployment 6.2%

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

Stoke-on-Trent

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

Stoke-on-Trent

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: Stoke-on-Trent vs Exeter

Stoke-on-Trent

Stoke-on-Trent is undergoing regeneration with bet365 as a major employer and growing logistics and manufacturing sectors.

Full Stoke-on-Trent 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 Stoke-on-Trent

Browse live Stoke-on-Trent vacancies on Reed right now.

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Live Jobs

Jobs in Exeter

Browse live Exeter vacancies on Reed right now.

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More Comparisons

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£52,800 vs £27,500

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£36,500 vs £27,500

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Manchester vs Exeter

£36,500 vs £32,000

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Birmingham vs Stoke-on-Trent

£33,200 vs £27,500

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Birmingham vs Exeter

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