Exeter named one of the UK’s most expensive cities for single living as rent and bills soar

Exeter has been ranked among the most expensive cities in the UK for people living alone, with new research suggesting that nearly 80 per cent of a single person’s take-home pay is absorbed by rent, council tax and day-to-day spending.

The analysis by credit card provider Zable places Exeter fourth nationally when measuring the proportion of income required to cover essential living costs.

According to the study, the average single resident in Exeter spends £23,472 per year on rent, council tax and household expenses, compared with an average post-tax salary of £29,417.

That means 79.8 per cent of income goes towards simply living alone.

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Rental costs remain one of the biggest pressures. According to analysis by Zable, average one-bedroom rents in Exeter are estimated at £10,787 per year (just under £900 per month).

 Yet fresh figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show that nationally rents remain high despite slowing inflation. In the 12 months to January 2026, average UK monthly private rents rose by 3.5 per cent to £1,367, while in England the average reached £1,423.

For Exeter specifically, the mean monthly private rent for a one-bedroom property is £1,109 - notably higher than Zable’s estimate and broadly in line with the ONS figure showing the UK average for one-bedroom homes stands at £1,109 per month. 

Across all property types, average monthly rents in the city are above £1,300, reflecting sustained demand from students, young professionals and key workers.

Property portal listings (such as Rightmove) illustrate that pressure locally. 

Currently advertised one-bedroom flats in central areas such as St Leonards, Heavitree and near the Quayside frequently exceed £950 to £1,050 per month, with some modern apartments pushing beyond that. For many single tenants, that brings annual rent alone close to £13,000.

For those looking to buy rather than rent, average house prices in Exeter are currently around £285,000. 

Nationally, the ONS reported that the average UK house price increased by 2.4 per cent to £270,000 in the year to December 2025, while in England the average reached £292,000. 

Mortgage repayments on a modest one-bed flat in Exeter can rival or exceed rental costs, depending on deposit size and interest rates, presenting another affordability barrier for solo buyers.

Council tax is another significant cost as bills have now increased for the 2026/27 financial year. 

According to figures published by Exeter City Council, the total council tax charge for a Band D property in Exeter is now £2,495.36, up £115.46 (4.85 per cent) on the previous year. 

The increase includes a 2.99 per cent rise from Exeter City Council and a 4.99 per cent rise from Devon County Council, with the county authority citing growing pressures in adult social care, children’s services and special educational needs provision as key drivers.

For single occupants receiving the 25 per cent discount, the updated annual bills for 2026/27 are:

Band A: £1,247.68Band B: £1,455.63Band C: £1,663.57Band D: £1,871.52

A single person living alone in a typical Band B flat - common across many parts of Exeter - will therefore pay around £1,456 per year in council tax from April. For those in a Band D property, the bill will be approximately £1,872 after discount. 

For many single households, that rise will add tens of pounds a year to already stretched budgets. 

Without someone to split fixed costs such as council tax, water rates and energy bills, single residents often feel the impact more acutely than couples or house-sharers.

Beyond housing, everyday spending in Exeter broadly mirrors other South West cities but still adds significant weight to annual budgets. 

A typical weekly supermarket shop for one person can range between £35 and £50, meaning grocery bills of £1,800 to £2,600 a year. Basic items locally average around £1 for a loaf of bread, more than £1 for a litre of milk and £2.50 to £3 for a dozen eggs.

Socialising costs quickly accumulate. A meal at a mid-range restaurant in the city centre typically costs £15 to £20 per person, while a three-course meal for two can exceed £60. 

A pint of beer in many Exeter pubs now averages between £4.80 and £5.50. Cinema tickets are generally around £10 to £12, and gym memberships commonly range from £25 to £40 per month.

Nationally, the study found that living alone costs on average 38 per cent more per person than sharing with a partner or housemate. 

Brighton and Hove topped the list as the least affordable location for singles, while Derby ranked as the most affordable.

The findings come as nearly one in three UK households is now made up of a single person. 

In Exeter, where housing supply remains constrained and rental demand continues to outpace availability, the mean one-bedroom rent of £1,109 per month represents a substantial proportion of average local earnings. 

The figures highlight the proportion of income single residents allocate to rent, council tax and day-to-day living costs when meeting those expenses independently.