You’ll need roughly £900–£1,200 a month to live comfortably in Exeter, depending on whether you pick university halls, a shared house or a private one‑bed. Expect halls or shared rooms at £140–£185/week, one‑beds around £733–£975/month, and utilities/internet about £150–200/month if billed separately. Factor groceries £120–£200, transport £40–80, and occasional entertainment. Also plan for deposits and initial setup costs. Keep going to see detailed breakdowns and money‑saving tips.

Monthly Rent and Accommodation Options

Where will you live in Exeter depends on your budget and whether you want bills included. You’ll see university halls (basic) at £160–£185 per week, private shared houses at £140–£170 per week, and luxury private studios at £220–£280 per week—use these ranges to model monthly costs. If you prefer flats, a one-bedroom in the city centre averages £975 per month, outside centre about £733, and three-bed central options near £1,900. Decide if you want all-inclusive accommodation: providers like Study Inn offer luxury studios with utilities and high-speed Wi‑Fi bundled, which reduces bill variability and simplifies budgeting. Otherwise, factor separate utility and internet costs into your rent calculations. Choose based on trade-offs—lower weekly rent often means self-catered living and variable bills; premium options raise base rent but cut unpredictable extras. Quantify likely monthly totals for each scenario before committing.

Typical Grocery and Food Expenses

You can plan your grocery budget around typical self-catered costs of £120–£150 per month, or break that down to weekly shopping trips to control spending. Focus on affordable meal ideas — pasta, stir-fries, and tray-bakes using supermarket basics from Tesco, Sainsbury’s or Aldi — and factor in occasional eating out (£50–£80) and coffee/snacks (£30–£50). Compare unit prices like milk £1.14/L, bread £1.17/500g and chicken £5.74/kg to choose the cheapest options and use farmers’ markets for fresh produce when it’s better value.

Grocery Budgets Weekly/Monthly

Wondering how much you’ll spend on food in Exeter? You’ll typically budget £120–£150 monthly for self-catered groceries; some students spend about £200 if they follow a ~£50 weekly shop. Add occasional eating out (£50–£80) and coffee/snacks (£30–£50) to estimate total living costs.

Supermarkets like Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Aldi cover basics; farmers markets can trim fresh-produce expenses. Typical item prices—bread £1.17, milk £1.14/l, apples £1.73/kg, tomatoes £2.33/kg—help you model weekly totals.

To manage grocery budgets, make a list, buy in bulk with flatmates, and share delivery fees. Regularly comparing stores and tracking spend each week keeps your monthly food bill predictable and controllable.

Affordable Meal Ideas

How can you keep meals tasty and cheap in Exeter without sacrificing nutrition? Plan weekly groceries around staples—milk, eggs, tomatoes—and expect roughly £120–£150 monthly for self-catered students.

Use shopping lists and buy staples in bulk with flatmates to lower per-meal costs. Rotate simple, balanced meals: omelettes, pasta with tomato and vegetables, rice bowls with legumes, and soups using market produce.

Limit eating out to occasional mid-range meals or a McDonald’s when convenient, budgeting £50–£80 and £30–£50 respectively for treats and coffee.

Share delivery fees and split family-size packs to cut waste. Track spending to compare supermarket bargains versus farmers’ market freshness; adjust menus to keep groceries efficient and meals nutritious.

Cheap Supermarket Choices

After planning simple, budget-friendly meals, it makes sense to look at where and how you buy those ingredients to keep costs down. You’ll find groceries in Exeter typically run £120–£150 monthly for self-catered students; add £50–£80 for eating out and £30–£50 for coffee/snacks if you indulge. For budgeting, compare large chains like Tesco and Sainsbury’s with Aldi for everyday value, and check farmers’ markets for fresh local cheese, potatoes, tomatoes and apples at competitive prices. Use a shopping list, bulk-buy with friends and share delivery fees to cut per-person costs. Don’t overlook international supermarkets for cheap staples and occasional deals that stretch your grocery budget further.

Utility Bills, Internet and Household Essentials

You’ll want to budget for monthly utilities like electricity (£65–85), gas (£55–75), water (£30–40) and a TV Licence (£13.25) alongside internet costs (typically £25–35).

Consider whether you’ll take an all-inclusive option—some premium student housing bundles utilities and faster internet into the rent—or manage separate contracts to control costs.

Also factor routine household essentials (cleaning supplies, toiletries, basic kitchenware) which add small but regular expenses to your monthly total.

Typical Monthly Utility Costs

Curious what your monthly utility outgoings in Exeter will look like? You’ll typically pay electricity £65–85 and gas £55–75 in shared housing, with water around £30–40. Add the TV Licence at £13.25 per month if you watch or record TV. While internet often costs £25–35, note that premium student or managed accommodation may bundle utilities and faster internet into your rent, simplifying budgeting. Council Tax runs £1,200–2,600 yearly; check if you qualify for vacation or single-person exemptions to reduce that burden. Tally these predictable items against a one-bedroom rent (commonly £650–1,000+ depending on location) to forecast monthly outgoings and identify where you can cut costs.

Internet and Connectivity Options

How much you’ll spend on internet and connectivity in Exeter depends on whether your place bills utilities separately or offers an all-inclusive package. You’ll typically pay £20–£35 for standard internet; premium bundles cost more but add speed and reliability. In shared housing expect combined utilities around £45–£65, water £15–£25, and internet £20–£30 per person. Some student developments include utilities and high-speed Wi‑Fi in one rent, which simplifies budgeting. Don’t forget the TV Licence at £13.25/month if you watch/record TV. Compare bundle deals vs separate contracts: bundles give predictability; separate accounts can be cheaper if you manage usage.

Household Essentials and Supplies

Wondering what to budget for keeping a home running in Exeter? You’ll need to factor utilities alongside rent and other essentials. Typical shared-accommodation costs: electricity £65–85, gas £55–75, water £30–40, and internet £25–35; TV Licence is £13.25 if you watch. Basic monthly utilities for an 85m2 place average about £287.50, with internet commonly around £34. Council Tax runs £1,200–2,600 yearly; check vacation exemptions. Bundled packages (e.g., Study Inn) can simplify billing and sometimes lower costs. Plan for mobile deals and energy-use variation, using ranges rather than fixed figures.

Transport, Commuting and Mobility Costs

Need reliable, cheap ways to get around? Living in Exeter favours Public Transport and active travel: you’ll find bus links, student passes, and strong walk/cycle cultures. If you rely on buses, Stagecoach student passes typically cost £40–£55 monthly and offer unlimited travel; standard monthly passes run around £80 but student discounts cut that considerably. One-way fares average £3.00, so a pass often saves money if you commute regularly.

You’ll also budget occasional train trips (£20–£40 monthly) and bicycle upkeep (£10–£20 monthly). Exeter and Penryn promote cycling and walking with bike-friendly facilities and showers, reducing daily costs and commute time. Penryn students benefit from direct buses to Falmouth (10 minutes), Truro (30 minutes) and even an early London-bound coach option for longer trips. Assess route frequency, pass savings versus pay-as-you-go fares, and whether bike commuting fits your schedule to optimise mobility costs.

Entertainment, Social Life and Leisure Spending

Looking for ways to enjoy Exeter without blowing your budget? You can balance living costs and entertainment by prioritising affordable options and using discounts. Cinema tickets usually run £8–12 and a typical night out is £20–40, so plan nights out selectively and track monthly spend. Weekend trips cost £50–100 depending on destination, so set a separate leisure fund if you travel often. Exeter’s arts, live music, pubs and Dartmoor offer low-cost cultural and outdoor options; pair those with student discounts (UNiDAYS, Student Beans) to cut prices further.

• Use student or membership discounts for cheaper tickets and entry
• Swap expensive nights out for pub quizzes, free gigs or outdoor picnics
• Limit weekend trips to one per month or share costs with friends
• Take advantage of Dartmoor and parks for low-cost leisure activities
• Bring a reusable cup to reduce daily coffee expenses

Be analytical about frequency: small regular entertainment choices add up, so set a realistic monthly entertainment budget.

Health, Fitness and Wellbeing Costs

After budgeting for nights out and weekend trips, factor in costs that keep you well physically and mentally — gyms, classes, therapy, and basic health care can add up but there are ways to manage them. In Exeter you’ll find on-campus options and Study Inn bundles that lower gym and wellness costs, so prioritise those when comparing living expenses. Use student cards like UNiDAYS, Student Beans or NUS Totum to cut fees for memberships, classes and treatments.

Think in categories: basic GP/medication, gym or club fees, and mental health support. Universities promote peer activity for fitness and social wellbeing, which can be low-cost and effective. If you work up to permitted hours, earnings can offset these costs, but don’t rely on that as your sole plan. For emotional strain, access Student Space and campus counselling; they’re often subsidised. Track monthly spending on health, set a small contingency fund, and choose bundled or discounted services to keep wellbeing affordable while living in Exeter.

Part‑time Work, Earnings and Financial Planning

How will part‑time work fit into your Exeter budget? You can work up to 20 hours weekly on a student visa; at £12.21/hr that’s roughly £243.51 net per week if you do the full allowance. That income won’t cover everything, but it helps.

• Treat part-time work as supplemental income to rent, groceries, utilities.
• Convert earnings into pounds for realistic budgeting against UK living costs.
• Track income and expenses with budgeting apps to spot shortfalls quickly.
• Factor in wellbeing: financial stress affects study; seek Student Space support if needed.
• Compare part-time earnings to average monthly net salary (~£2,020) to plan contributions.

Be analytical: calculate monthly net from your hours, multiply by weeks worked, then subtract fixed costs to see what discretionary spending remains. Use that figure to set realistic goals — saving targets, emergency buffer, or occasional extras — and adjust hours or spending if living costs rise.

Money‑saving Tips and Student Discounts

Want to cut your monthly outgoings without sacrificing essentials? Use student discounts and practical habits to lower your cost of living in Exeter. Sign up to UNiDAYS, Student Beans or NUS Totum for offers on food, tech and transport. Combine those with budgeting apps to track groceries (120–150/month) and coffee/snacks (30–50/month) so you spot waste.

Compare rents: halls sometimes include utilities; shared houses cost ~£140–170/week. Monitor utilities (electricity £45–65, gas £55–75) and switch bundled internet when it’s cheaper. Pick accommodation that reduces unpredictable bills and reserve emergency funds for bedding/kitchenware. These steps let you reduce monthly spend while keeping living standards steady.

Moving In: One‑off and Initial Setup Costs

Moving in to a new place in Exeter will cost more than your first month’s rent, so plan for one‑off purchases and short-term extras that can spike your initial outlay. You’ll want a realistic initial setup budget beyond the £650 average for a city‑centre one‑bed: bedding, basic kitchenware, cleaning supplies and small furniture add up. If you choose an all-inclusive option like Study Inn Exeter, you’ll simplify monthly budgeting because utilities and Wi‑Fi are covered, but upfront deposits or admin fees may still apply. If utilities are billed separately, expect roughly electricity £65–85, gas £55–75, internet £25–35 and water £30–40 monthly — factor a buffer for the first bill. Have a contingency reserve for unexpected buys and deposits.

Moving into Exeter costs more than rent — budget for setup, utilities, deposits and a contingency for unexpected extras.

• Bedding and basic furniture (mattress toppers, curtains)
• Kitchen kit (pots, utensils, kettle)
• Deposits and administration fees
• Initial food and cleaning supplies
• Contingency reserve for unexpected purchases

Frequently Asked Questions

How Much Are Bills in Exeter?

Bills in Exeter typically run £260–£380 monthly for shared utilities, internet and council tax contributions; you can reduce bills by bundling services, monitoring seasonal energy usage, and insulating or smart-heating to cut waste and costs.

Is Exeter Cheap to Live In?

Yes — Exeter’s one-bedroom city-center rent averages about £650, so you’ll find it affordable. You’ll want cheap accommodation ideas, practical budgeting tips, and analytical planning to keep groceries, utilities, and transport comfortably within budget.

How Much Is Student Rent in Exeter?

You’ll pay roughly £160–£185/week for basic halls, £140–£170/week for private shared housing, or £220–£280/week for luxury studios; student housing rent contrasts depend on location, amenities, and whether bills are included.

How Much Does a Pint Cost in Exeter?

A pint in Exeter’s pubs typically costs about £5. You’ll spot pint price trends showing higher on-premise rates versus supermarket bargains, and student bar culture keeps social prices competitive during nights out and special offers.

Conclusion

Think of Exeter as a map you’re holding: each cost is a landmark you can choose to visit or avoid. With clear budgeting for rent, food, transport and leisure, you’ll navigate monthly life without getting lost. Use student discounts, part‑time income and careful planning to prune unnecessary expenses. You’ll trade impulsive detours for targeted routes, keeping money for essentials and small pleasures—so you move through the city confidently, not by chance, but by design.