Exeter vs Milton Keynes
Which is better to live in? (2026)
Exeter (South West) and Milton Keynes (South East) 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 Milton Keynes rates 55/100 (grade C). Exeter has the stronger schools, with 67% of nearby schools rated Good or Outstanding by Ofsted. Milton Keynes works out cheaper for typical monthly household bills (~£434 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 Milton Keynes: Category Comparison
Our Verdict
Milton Keynes leads in 4 of 8 categories, scoring higher for broadband, environment, healthcare. That said, Exeter has the edge in schools and transport, making it a strong option depending on what matters most to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Exeter or Milton Keynes better to live in?
Milton Keynes leads in 4 of 8 categories, scoring higher for broadband, environment, healthcare. That said, Exeter has the edge in schools and transport, making it a strong option depending on what matters most to you.
Is Exeter safer than Milton Keynes?
Exeter and Milton Keynes have similar crime safety scores (25/100). Scores are based on the Index of Multiple Deprivation crime domain.
Which has better schools, Exeter or Milton Keynes?
Exeter has 15 schools within 3km, with 67% rated Good or Outstanding by Ofsted. Milton Keynes has 15 schools nearby, with 53% rated Good or Outstanding.
Is it cheaper to live in Exeter or Milton Keynes?
Estimated monthly bills are lower in Milton Keynes (~£434/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.