Exeter vs Sunderland
Which is better to live in? (2026)
Exeter (South West) and Sunderland (North 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 Sunderland rates 57/100 (grade C). Sunderland is the safer of the two on crime (41/100 versus 25/100). Sunderland has the stronger schools, with 73% of nearby schools rated Good or Outstanding by Ofsted. Sunderland works out cheaper for typical monthly household bills (~£415 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 Sunderland: Category Comparison
Our Verdict
Sunderland leads in 5 of 8 categories, scoring higher for crime safety, schools, affordability. That said, Exeter has the edge in transport and environment, making it a strong option depending on what matters most to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Exeter or Sunderland better to live in?
Sunderland leads in 5 of 8 categories, scoring higher for crime safety, schools, affordability. That said, Exeter has the edge in transport and environment, making it a strong option depending on what matters most to you.
Is Exeter safer than Sunderland?
Sunderland 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, Exeter or Sunderland?
Exeter has 15 schools within 3km, with 67% rated Good or Outstanding by Ofsted. Sunderland has 15 schools nearby, with 73% rated Good or Outstanding.
Is it cheaper to live in Exeter or Sunderland?
Estimated monthly bills are lower in Sunderland (~£415/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.