Overview
Exeter is one of the fastest growing cities in the UK with a strong professional services and knowledge economy.
The median salary in Exeter is £32,000 per year. With a cost of living index of 72/100 (London = 100) and average rents of £950/month, residents typically retain £23,800 per year in real spending power after rent — an important figure that headline salaries don't reveal.
Cost of Living: Exeter vs UK Cities
Cost of living index where London = 100. Lower score = more affordable. Exeter is highlighted.
London
100
Edinburgh
79
Bristol
78
Manchester
72
Leeds
70
Birmingham
68
Cardiff
66
Liverpool
65
Sheffield
63
Newcastle
61
Best Paying Jobs in Exeter
Full city salary breakdown coming soon. Browse all UK salary guides →
Exeter Job Market at a Glance
| Median Annual Salary | £32,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 72/100 |
| Average Rent (1 bed) | £950/mo |
| Real Take-Home After Rent | £23,800/yr |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.5% |
| Job Growth (YoY) | ↑ 4.2% |
| Population | 132,000 |
Top Industries in Exeter
Healthcare
Education
Finance
Tourism
Agriculture
Major Employers in Exeter
NHS
University of Exeter
Met Office
Flybe
Devon County Council
Compare Exeter with Other Cities
Data Sources
ONS Regional Stats 2026
HMRC PAYE Data
Rightmove Rental Index
Numbeo UK
Reed.co.uk