Average rent in Exeter
The average private rent in Exeter was £1,318 a month in September 2026, +0.2% on a year earlier. A two-bedroom home costs £1,130, 12% below the UK average of £1,287 and 6% above the average for the South West. It is the 5th most expensive of 26 areas in the South West. Over the past year, 3 bed homes rose fastest (+0.5%).
Rent by number of bedrooms
Average monthly private rent (pcm).
Salary needed to rent in Exeter
Two common tests: rent at no more than 30% of gross income, and the letting-agent referencing check of an annual income at least 30× the monthly rent.
| Home | Rent (pcm) | Salary for 30% rule | Agent check (30× rent) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 bedroom | £914 | £36,560 | £27,420 |
| 2 bedrooms | £1,130 | £45,200 | £33,900 |
The median full-time salary for Exeter residents is £34,514 (2025, £16.97 an hour). A one-bedroom at the average rent takes 32% of that before tax, above the 30% guideline.
Renting vs buying in Exeter
How rents in Exeter have changed
Average rent is +43.3% since 2016.
| Year | Average rent | 2 bed |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | £1,318 | £1,130 |
| 2025 | £1,316 | £1,128 |
| 2024 | £1,236 | £1,054 |
| 2023 | £1,158 | £986 |
| 2022 | £1,059 | £904 |
| 2021 | £1,032 | £884 |
| 2020 | £1,005 | £861 |
| 2019 | £968 | £830 |
| 2018 | £929 | £799 |
| 2017 | £920 | £793 |
| 2016 | £920 | £796 |
Areas with similar rents
| # | Area | Region | 1 bed | 2 bed | 3 bed | Change (12m) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Southend-on-Sea | East of England | £884 | £1,124 | £1,371 | +5.1% |
| 2 | Luton | East of England | £913 | £1,122 | £1,348 | +3.7% |
| 3 | New Forest | South East | £868 | £1,138 | £1,398 | +2.0% |
| 4 | Canterbury | South East | £880 | £1,138 | £1,377 | +5.8% |
| 5 | Portsmouth | South East | £903 | £1,139 | £1,366 | +2.9% |
| 6 | Medway | South East | £897 | £1,140 | £1,340 | +1.6% |
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Exeter?
The average private rent in Exeter was £1,318 a month in September 2026, up 0.2% on a year earlier. A one-bedroom averaged £914 and a two-bedroom £1,130 (ONS Price Index of Private Rents).
What salary do you need to rent in Exeter?
To keep a £914 one-bedroom rent within 30% of gross income you need about £36,560 a year. Letting agents usually ask for an annual income of 30 times the monthly rent, which is £27,420. The median full-time salary for residents is £34,514.
Is Exeter expensive to rent compared with the rest of the UK?
A two-bedroom in Exeter costs £1,130 a month, 12% below the UK average of £1,287. It ranks 184 of 282 larger UK areas from cheapest to most expensive.
Rents: ONS Price Index of Private Rents (September 2026), average of new and existing private tenancies — official statistics in development. House prices: HM Land Registry UK House Price Index. Pay: ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, median gross pay of full-time employees by place of residence. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. See our methodology.