Exeter named one of the UK’s most affordable student cities, new study finds

Exeter has been ranked among the 10 most affordable student cities in the UK, according to a new cost-of-living analysis that sheds light on the real financial pressures facing university students.

The study by student accommodation provider Canvas Student measured core expenses including rent, bills, transport, food, drink and leisure across major university towns and cities. 

Exeter placed ninth in the ranking, a position that will be closely watched by students and families navigating rising costs ahead of the new academic year.

For students at the University of Exeter (where recent estimates put the total student population at around 29,000) the figures underline both cost advantages and ongoing financial challenges in living in the South West.

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While Exeter is not the cheapest city overall, the research suggests that its cost profile compares favourably with larger cities such as Birmingham, Cardiff and Glasgow.

According to the Canvas Student analysis, the average monthly cost of a one-bedroom apartment in Exeter is £955. 

Household bills - including utilities - average £321.50 per month, one of the higher figures among the top 10 cities. A monthly public transport pass is estimated at £80.

Everyday spending figures paint a mixed picture: 

A cup of coffee in Exeter costs an average of £3.52, while a meal in an inexpensive restaurant is around £15. 

Grocery essentials were calculated at £7.31, one of the lower totals across the ranking.

A pint of beer in the city was £5.50 on average - the highest among the cities listed - while leisure costs include £9.50 for a cinema ticket and £40 for a monthly gym membership.

York topped the list of the most affordable student cities overall, with an average apartment cost of £925.83 and household bills of £184.72 - more than £130 less per month than in Exeter. 

Other cities ahead of Exeter in the ranking included Leicester, Nottingham, Sheffield, Coventry, Newcastle, Cardiff and Birmingham. Glasgow rounded out the top 10.

At the opposite end of the spectrum, London was identified as the least affordable city for students, with average rents for a one-bedroom apartment of £2,282.49 per month and a monthly transport pass priced at £180.

The findings come amid ongoing concerns about student living costs nationwide. 

Higher rent, energy bills and everyday spending have driven students to tighten budgets, and the data highlights the importance of factoring in local living costs alongside tuition and accommodation fees when planning for university.

Canvas Student said its research aims to help prospective students and their families better understand the full cost of living in different cities. 

With approximately one in four students reporting financial stress related to housing costs in recent national surveys, the figures for Exeter are likely to be welcomed by some, even as they underline broader affordability challenges.

The study also notes the availability of student-focused discounts and offers in many cities, including Exeter, where students can access reduced prices on food, nightlife and leisure activities that are not captured in the base cost comparisons.

Overall, while Exeter may not be the cheapest option in the UK, the city’s position in the top 10 suggests it offers a reasonable balance between cost and quality of student life compared with many larger, higher-cost urban centres.