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Property investment stats for Exeter, South West

A complete guide to property investment in Exeter.

Last updated: 18 September 2025

Investment summary

Exeter stands out for its strong rental market, underpinned by a large student population in the 98th percentile and a high proportion of private rented housing in the 82nd percentile. The city’s average rental yield of 5.5% will catch the eye of income-focused investors, while three-year capital growth has changed by 11.0% (annualised at 3.5%), suggesting some resilience over the medium term. Properties are moving in a reasonable timeframe, with a median of 69 days from listing to sale, and the market has seen a typical discount of £5,000 (the typical achieved discount). Affordability looks relatively balanced, with a price-to-income ratio of 5.3 and a rent-to-income ratio of 24.7%.

For those seeking a blend of steady demand and manageable entry costs, Exeter offers a compelling case, especially given the current median asking sale price for a 3-bedroom house is £330,000 and for a 2-bedroom flat is £200,000.

Image of Exeter, South West

Key investment stats for Exeter

Median price per sq ft

£341 / sq ft

Average rental yield

5.5%

Capital growth (1y)

-0.3%

Sales in past year

1,507

* Property stats calculated for last full calendar year (2024).

Live property stats in Exeter

Live prices in Exeter, South West

* Extreme prices clipped for legibility

Properties for sale

Median price

£325,000

25% of properties below...

£249,995

75% of properties below...

£450,000

Most expensive property

£4,500,000

Live listings

1,357

Median days on market

69

Should you invest in Exeter?

Opportunities

  • The city’s large student and young professional population supports strong rental demand, reflected in the average yield of 5.5% and a top postcode district yield of 6.1%.
  • Private rented housing is in the 82nd percentile, indicating a robust local letting market.
  • Median asking rents for both 3-bedroom houses and 2-bedroom flats are currently £1,500 and £1,500, suggesting solid income potential for landlords.

Risks

  • Capital growth over the past year has changed by -0.3%, which may signal short-term stagnation or volatility.
  • The proportion of owner-occupied homes is low (26th percentile), which could point to a transient population and less long-term stability.
  • Families are underrepresented (13th percentile), potentially limiting demand for larger properties or those aimed at long-term occupiers.

Outlook

Looking ahead, Exeter’s rental market is likely to remain buoyant, supported by a youthful demographic and a student population in the 98th percentile. The city’s relatively quick sales cycle, with homes spending a median of 69 days on the market, points to decent liquidity for sellers and investors.

While short-term capital growth has changed by -0.3%, the three-year growth and annualised figures (11.0% and 3.5%) provide some reassurance for those with a medium-term horizon. Affordability metrics such as the price-to-income ratio of 5.3 and the rent-to-income ratio of 24.7% suggest that Exeter remains accessible compared to pricier UK markets. Investors should expect the city to continue attracting renters, especially students and young professionals, while capital appreciation may require patience.

Live properties in Exeter

Investment properties in Exeter, South West

4 bedroom terraced house for sale
45% below median price

£300,000 - Guide Price

4 bedroom terraced house for sale

Polsloe Road, Exeter EX1 2HL

Properties needing refurbishment in Exeter, South West
Needs Refurb
3 bedroom flat for sale
40% below median price

£200,000 - Offers in Region of

3 bedroom flat for sale

Heavitree Park, Exeter

Priced to sell properties in Exeter, South West
Priced to Sell
2 bedroom terraced house for sale
On market for 169 days

£210,000 - Offers Over

2 bedroom terraced house for sale

Coronation Road, Exeter

Slow to sell properties in Exeter, South West
Slow to Sell
1 bedroom retirement property for sale
Reduced by 23%

£100,000 - Guide Price

1 bedroom retirement property for sale

Butts Road, Exeter

Big price drop properties in Exeter, South West
Big Price Drop
4 bedroom property for sale
High yield opportunity

£280,000

4 bedroom property for sale

Polsloe Road, Exeter, Devon

HMO properties in Exeter, South West
HMO
14 bedroom detached house for sale
4,960 sq ft

£1,500,000 - Guide Price

14 bedroom detached house for sale

St Davids Hill, Exeter, EX4

Properties with planning granted in Exeter, South West
Planning Granted
1 bedroom flat for sale
54% below median price

£60,000

1 bedroom flat for sale

Bartholomew Street West, Exeter, De...

Low price-per-sq-ft properties in Exeter, South West
Low Price per Sq Ft
2 bedroom terraced house for sale
42% below median price

£170,000 - Guide Price

2 bedroom terraced house for sale

Holland Road, Exeter, Devon, EX2

Auction properties in Exeter, South West
Auction

Achieved vs asking prices

Key takeaway: Balanced market

On average, properties sell slightly below asking; careful comp analysis is key.

Headline stats

• Median discount: £5,000

• 1 in 4 properties sell at > £10,000 below asking

• 1 in 10 properties sell at > £20,000 below asking

In percentage terms:

• Median discount of 1.4%

• 25% of properties discounted by > 3.1%

• 10% of properties discounted by > 5.2%

Best places to invest in Exeter

Top postcodes for rental yield and (annualised) capital growth

Rank
Postcode
Yield
Capital growth
Median £/sq ft
1EX16.1%4.3%£352 / sq ft
2EX45.8%3.3%£332 / sq ft
3EX25.1%3.5%£351 / sq ft

Data sources

GeoGlider calculates property investment stats by blending official and proprietary datasets. Here's a quick overview of key sources and how we use them:

  • HM Land Registry: Property transaction and sold-price records for England & Wales used to calculate historical capital growth, price levels and comparables.

  • Office for National Statistics (ONS): Demographic and economic indicators for the UK, including Census 2021, supporting area profiling and market context.

  • Ordnance Survey: Authoritative UK geospatial data powering accurate boundaries, roads and terrain for mapping and spatial analysis.

  • GeoProp: Our proprietary AI pipeline that processes millions of property listings to extract rich features and live market signals.

  • Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities: Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) scores and property floor areas.

  • HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC): Household income and employment data to understand local affordability and economic conditions.

Data is updated continuously, matched across sources and rigorously validated.