You’ll need roughly £1,300–£1,800 a month to live comfortably in Exeter as of October 2025, depending on university halls, shared house, or private one-bed. Expect halls or shared rooms at £170–£200/week, one-beds £800–£1,000/month, utilities/internet £180–£250/month if separate. Factor groceries £150–£250, transport £50–£70, entertainment £50–£100. Plan for deposits and setup costs. See breakdowns and tips below.

The average cost of living in Exeter for students in 2025 is £1,300–£1,800 per month, covering accommodation (£600–£900), food (£200), utilities (£200), and transport (£60), with savings via student discounts and shared housing.

Monthly Rent and Accommodation Options

Where you live in Exeter depends on budget and bills inclusion. As of October 2025, university halls cost £170–£200 per week, private shared houses £150–£180 per week, luxury studios £250–£300 per week. One-bedroom in city centre averages £1,000 per month, outside £800, three-bed central £1,800–£2,200. All-inclusive like Study Inn bundles utilities and Wi-Fi, simplifying budgets. Lower rent means self-catered with variable bills; premium options add predictability. Model monthly totals for each before deciding.

Typical Grocery and Food Expenses

Plan groceries around self-catered costs of £150–£250 per month as of October 2025, or weekly shops of £40–£60. Focus on basics from Tesco, Sainsbury’s, or Aldi: pasta, stir-fries, tray-bakes. Add eating out £60–£90, coffee/snacks £40–£60. Unit prices: milk £1.20/L, bread £1.25/500g, chicken £6.00/kg. Use farmers’ markets for value on produce.

Grocery Budgets Weekly/Monthly

Budget £150–£250 monthly for self-catered groceries; £50 weekly shops suit many students. Add £60–£90 eating out, £40–£60 snacks. Supermarkets like Aldi offer deals; farmers markets trim produce costs. Items: bread £1.25, milk £1.20/L, apples £1.80/kg, tomatoes £2.50/kg. Use lists, bulk buys with flatmates, share deliveries to control spend.

Affordable Meal Ideas

Keep meals cheap and nutritious with £150–£250 monthly groceries. Shop weekly for staples like milk, eggs, tomatoes. Bulk buy with flatmates; rotate omelettes, pasta with veggies, rice bowls, soups from markets. Limit eating out to £60–£90 mid-range or fast food, £40–£60 coffee. Share packs, track spending, compare supermarkets vs markets for efficiency.

Cheap Supermarket Choices

Groceries run £150–£250 monthly for self-catered students, plus £60–£90 eating out, £40–£60 snacks. Compare Tesco/Sainsbury’s with Aldi for value, farmers markets for fresh items like cheese, potatoes at good prices. Use lists, bulk with friends, share deliveries. International shops offer cheap staples and deals to stretch budgets.

Utility Bills, Internet and Household Essentials

Budget for monthly utilities as of October 2025: electricity £80–£100, gas £60–£80, water £35–£45, TV Licence £13.25, internet £25–£40. All-inclusive housing bundles these; otherwise, manage separate contracts. Add household essentials like cleaning and toiletries for regular small costs.

Typical Monthly Utility Costs

Monthly utilities in shared housing: electricity £80–£100, gas £60–£80, water £35–£45, TV Licence £13.25. Internet £25–£40; premiums bundle faster speeds. Council Tax £1,300–£2,800 yearly; check exemptions. Average for 85m²: £320. Tally against rent (£800–£1,000 one-bed) to forecast and cut costs.

Internet and Connectivity Options

Internet costs £25–£40 standard; premiums £40+ for speed. Shared: utilities £50–£70/person, water £20–£30, internet £25–£35. Student housing often includes Wi-Fi. TV Licence £13.25. Bundles offer predictability; separates save if usage low.

Household Essentials and Supplies

Budget utilities with rent: electricity £80–£100, gas £60–£80, water £35–£45, internet £25–£40; TV £13.25. Average 85m²: £320, internet £35. Council Tax £1,300–£2,800; exemptions apply. Bundles like Study Inn simplify. Plan for mobile and energy variations using ranges.

Transport, Commuting and Mobility Costs

Exeter favors public transport and active travel. Stagecoach student passes cost £65 monthly for unlimited; standard £80–£90. One-way £1.80–£3.00. Add trains £25–£50 monthly, bike upkeep £15–£25. Bike facilities and walking reduce costs. Assess passes vs pay-as-you-go for optimization.

Entertainment, Social Life and Leisure Spending

Enjoy Exeter affordably with discounts. Cinema £9–£13, night out £25–£45, weekend trips £60–£120. Arts, music, pubs, Dartmoor offer low-cost options; use UNiDAYS, Student Beans for cuts.

• Use student discounts for tickets.
• Opt for quizzes, free gigs, picnics over expensive nights.
• Limit trips to one monthly, share costs.
• Explore Dartmoor and parks cheaply.
• Reusable cup saves on coffee.

Set £100 monthly entertainment budget analytically.

Health, Fitness and Wellbeing Costs

Factor gyms, classes, GP/medication, mental health: on-campus or Study Inn bundles lower costs. Use UNiDAYS, NUS Totum for discounts. Universities offer free peer activities. Access subsidised counselling via Student Space. Track spending, set contingency, choose bundled services for affordability.

Part‑time Work, Earnings and Financial Planning

Part-time work fits budgets up to 20 hours weekly on student visa; at £12.21/hr (21+ as of April 2025), full allowance nets ~£800–£900 weekly after tax. Supplements rent, food.

• Use as extra for essentials.
• Track with apps against UK costs.
• Monitor shortfalls quickly.
• Balance with wellbeing; use Student Space.
• Compare to average net £2,100 monthly.

Calculate net monthly, subtract fixed costs for discretionary planning.

Money‑saving Tips and Student Discounts

Cut outgoings with discounts: UNiDAYS, Student Beans for food, transport. Track groceries (£150–£250), snacks (£40–£60) via apps.

Halls include utilities; shared £150–£180/week. Monitor electricity £80–£100, gas £60–£80; switch bundles. Reserve for setup; maintain standards.

Moving In: One‑off and Initial Setup Costs

Moving to Exeter exceeds first rent; budget setup beyond £800 city-centre one-bed average. Bedding, kitchenware, cleaning add up. All-inclusive like Study Inn covers utilities but includes deposits. Separate: electricity £80–£100 first bill. Reserve contingency for extras.

Moving into Exeter costs more than rent — budget setup, utilities, deposits, contingency.

• Bedding, furniture (toppers, curtains).
• Kitchen (pots, utensils, kettle).
• Deposits, fees.
• Initial food, cleaning.
• Contingency for surprises.