Town comparison
Exeter vs Sidmouth
Which is better to live in? 12.4 miles apart — compared on house prices, crime, schools, broadband and more.
The verdict
Overall, Exeter offers lower property prices by roughly 23%. For families, Sidmouth edges ahead on school quality.
Avg House Price
Exeter
£356,050
Sidmouth
£463,589
Crime Rate
Exeter
96.0
Sidmouth
N/A
Top-Two School Inspection Bands
Exeter
63.6%
Sidmouth
100.0%
Avg Download Speed
Exeter
433.6
Sidmouth
366.4
EPC Rating
Exeter
70.6
Sidmouth
68.9
Median Income
Exeter
£28,617
Sidmouth
£29,914
House Prices (2025)
Most affordable in South WestBuyers will find Exeter more wallet-friendly, where the average price is £356,050 versus £463,589 in Sidmouth. The most affordable entry point in Exeter is a flat at £197,652, while in Sidmouth it is a flat at £325,573.
Average Price by Property Type (2025)
Biggest gap: flat homes are 39% pricier in Sidmouth (£325,573 vs £197,652).
Price Trend (11 Years)
Over the last 9 years, Sidmouth prices grew faster — 39% vs 22%.
Crime & Safety
Safest in South WestCrime rate data is not available for both Exeter and Sidmouth at this time.
Crime Rate by Category (per 1,000 residents)
Schools & Education
Best for schools in South WestSchool quality favours Sidmouth: 100% of its schools are in the top two inspection bands, compared with 63.6% in Exeter.
Exeter School Inspection Breakdown
63.6% of 32 schools (26 primary, 6 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
Sidmouth School Inspection Breakdown
100% of 2 schools (1 primary, 1 secondary) sit in the top two inspection bands.
| Metric | Exeter | Sidmouth |
|---|---|---|
| Total Schools | 32 | 2 |
| Primary | 26 | 1 |
| Secondary | 6 | 1 |
| % Top two bands | 63.6% | 100% |
Broadband & Connectivity
Internet users in Exeter enjoy 433.6 Mbps on average, while Sidmouth lags behind at 366.4 Mbps. Superfast coverage (30 Mbps+) reaches 92.7% of premises in Exeter and 94.8% in Sidmouth. Gigabit availability stands at 84.6% in Exeter and 69% in Sidmouth.
Exeter is the faster of the two by 18% on average download speed (434 vs 366 Mbps).
Energy Efficiency & Running Costs
The average EPC rating in Exeter is band C (score 70.6), ahead of Sidmouth's band C (score 68.9). Estimated annual energy costs average £1,196 in Exeter and £1,341 in Sidmouth. 62.6% of homes in Exeter have an EPC rating of C or above, compared to 58.5% in Sidmouth.
Exeter has more energy-efficient housing — 62.6% reach band C or above, vs 58.5% in the other.
Demographics & Economy
Exeter has a population of 126,522 while Sidmouth has 13,258. Median household income is £29,914 in Sidmouth and £28,616.7 in Exeter. The median age is 47.1 in Exeter and 51.3 in Sidmouth. Employment rates stand at 53.6% in Exeter and 52.4% in Sidmouth.
| Indicator | Exeter | Sidmouth |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 126,522 | 13,258 |
| Median Age | 47.1 | 51.3 |
| Median Household Income | £28,616.7 | £29,914 |
| Employment Rate | 53.6% | 52.4% |
| Owner Occupied | 66.9% | 72.2% |
| Degree-Level Qualified | 33.8% | 33.8% |
Location
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How far apart are Exeter and Sidmouth?
Which is cheaper to buy a house in, Exeter or Sidmouth?
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