Exeter vs Northampton
Which is better to live in? (2026)
Exeter (South West) and Northampton (East Midlands) 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 Northampton rates 54/100 (grade C). Exeter has the stronger schools, with 67% of nearby schools rated Good or Outstanding by Ofsted. Northampton works out cheaper for typical monthly household bills (~£436 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 Northampton: Category Comparison
Our Verdict
Northampton leads in 4 of 8 categories, scoring higher for transport, affordability, broadband. That said, Exeter has the edge in schools and environment, making it a strong option depending on what matters most to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Exeter or Northampton better to live in?
Northampton leads in 4 of 8 categories, scoring higher for transport, affordability, broadband. That said, Exeter has the edge in schools and environment, making it a strong option depending on what matters most to you.
Is Exeter safer than Northampton?
Exeter and Northampton have similar crime safety scores (25/100). Scores are based on the Index of Multiple Deprivation crime domain.
Which has better schools, Exeter or Northampton?
Exeter has 15 schools within 3km, with 67% rated Good or Outstanding by Ofsted. Northampton has 15 schools nearby, with 53% rated Good or Outstanding.
Is it cheaper to live in Exeter or Northampton?
Estimated monthly bills are lower in Northampton (~£436/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.