Cheltenham vs Exeter
Which is better to live in? (2026)
Category Comparison
Our Verdict
Cheltenham comes out ahead in 4 of 8 categories, with particular strengths in crime safety, schools, affordability. However, Exeter performs better in environment, so the best choice depends on your priorities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cheltenham or Exeter better to live in?
Cheltenham comes out ahead in 4 of 8 categories, with particular strengths in crime safety, schools, affordability. However, Exeter performs better in environment, so the best choice depends on your priorities.
Is Cheltenham safer than Exeter?
Cheltenham scores higher for crime safety (41/100) compared to Exeter (25/100). Scores are based on the Index of Multiple Deprivation crime domain.
Which has better schools, Cheltenham or Exeter?
Cheltenham has 15 schools within 3km, with 93% rated Good or Outstanding by Ofsted. Exeter has 15 schools nearby, with 67% rated Good or Outstanding.
Is it cheaper to live in Cheltenham or Exeter?
Monthly bills are similar in both areas (~£426/month). Bills include council tax, energy, water, broadband, and insurance estimates.
Related Comparisons
Data sources: Scores are estimated using pre-loaded data from MHCLG Indices of Deprivation, Ofsted/GIAS school ratings, DfT Transport Connectivity 2025, MHCLG council tax data, Ofgem energy price cap, and regional averages. For full live data from 20+ government sources, view the individual town reports. Data provided under the Open Government Licence v3.0.