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