Exeter vs Gloucester
Which is better to live in? (2026)
Exeter (South West) and Gloucester (South West) are two UK areas home buyers and renters frequently weigh against each other. On our overall Area Score, Exeter rates 53/100 (grade D) and Gloucester rates 53/100 (grade D). Gloucester has the stronger schools, with 80% of nearby schools rated Good or Outstanding by Ofsted. Gloucester works out cheaper for typical monthly household bills (~£437 versus ~£449). The full side-by-side breakdown of crime, schools, transport, affordability, broadband, environment and healthcare is below, followed by our verdict on which area fits which kind of buyer.
Exeter vs Gloucester: Category Comparison
Our Verdict
Gloucester leads in 2 of 8 categories, scoring higher for schools, transport. That said, Exeter has the edge in environment, making it a strong option depending on what matters most to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Exeter or Gloucester better to live in?
Gloucester leads in 2 of 8 categories, scoring higher for schools, transport. That said, Exeter has the edge in environment, making it a strong option depending on what matters most to you.
Is Exeter safer than Gloucester?
Exeter and Gloucester have similar crime safety scores (25/100). Scores are based on the Index of Multiple Deprivation crime domain.
Which has better schools, Exeter or Gloucester?
Exeter has 15 schools within 3km, with 67% rated Good or Outstanding by Ofsted. Gloucester has 15 schools nearby, with 80% rated Good or Outstanding.
Is it cheaper to live in Exeter or Gloucester?
Estimated monthly bills are lower in Gloucester (~£437/month) compared to Exeter (~£449/month). Bills include council tax, energy, water, broadband, and insurance estimates.
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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.