Exeter vs Torbay: House Prices, Rents and Moving Trends

Exeter and Torbay sit about 25 miles apart in Devon, yet they draw different buyers, renters and movers. This Exeter vs Torbay comparison sets the two side by side on house prices, rents and recent trends, using the latest ONS figures with a date and source beside each number. The short version: Torbay is the lower-cost area on average, Exeter the higher, and both saw prices ease slightly over the past year while rents rose.

The Numbers: Exeter vs Torbay

The latest ONS figures. House prices are May 2026 (provisional); private rents are June 2026. Each area links to its ONS source.

Average house price

•     Exeter: £281,000 (down 2.2% on the year)

•     Torbay: £222,000 (down 2.3% on the year)

Average price paid by first-time buyers

•     Exeter: £242,000

•     Torbay: £192,000

Average price paid by home movers (existing owners)

•     Exeter: £339,000

•     Torbay: £262,000

Average monthly private rent

•     Exeter: £1,317 (up 1.5% on the year)

•     Torbay: £913 (up 4.3% on the year)

What the Data Does and Does Not Tell You

A few things worth knowing before you read too much into the averages:

•     The ONS reports Torbay as a single area covering Torquay, Paignton and Brixham, so it does not break those towns out. For a specific street, check recent sold prices on the Land Registry.

•     Averages do not reflect property type, size or condition, so a city-centre flat and a family house are blended into the same figure.

•     These are the newest figures at the time of writing and the ONS updates them monthly, so treat provisional numbers as a snapshot, not a fixed value.

Moving and Access Points That Matter

The data sets the budget, but access is what shapes moving day, and the two areas differ.

Exeter

•     City-centre flats and period terraces in areas like St Thomas and Heavitree can be tight for a large van. Some streets sit in controlled parking zones, so a removal van may need a bay suspension or dispensation arranged with the council in advance, which takes several working days. See our Exeter removals page for how we handle this.

Torbay

•     Steep drives, narrow Victorian and Edwardian terraces and seafront flats are common across Torquay and Paignton. Holiday lets also tighten the rental market in spring and summer, so autumn and winter can offer renters more choice.

Whichever way you are moving, flag the postcode and any access constraints when you book so the right van size and crew are planned. If your completion and move-in dates do not line up, storage bridges the gap: our Newton Abbot facility is roughly 15 miles from Exeter and a short run from Torbay, and we collect and redeliver when you have the keys. If you are moving into Devon from further afield, see our removals to Devon page.

Method and Sources

•     House prices and buyer-type figures: ONS House Price Index via the Exeter and Torbay ONS local pages, May 2026 (provisional).

•     Private rents: ONS private rent figures on the same pages, June 2026.

•     Underlying dataset: HM Land Registry UK House Price Index.

•     Figures are quoted as published, with the date beside each, and are not combined or averaged across areas.

FAQs

• Is Exeter or Torbay cheaper to buy?

  On average, Torbay. The latest ONS figures (May 2026, provisional) put the average house price at about £222,000 in Torbay against £281,000 in Exeter. First-time buyers pay around £192,000 in Torbay and £242,000 in Exeter.

• What about renting?

  Exeter is the more expensive of the two to rent. The average monthly private rent in June 2026 was about £1,317 in Exeter and £913 in Torbay, according to the ONS.

• How long does a move between Exeter and Torbay take?

  The drive is roughly 25 to 30 miles via the A380, usually 40 to 55 minutes depending on traffic. A standard two or three bedroom move can normally be loaded, driven and unloaded within a working day if access is straightforward at both ends.

• Do I need a parking permit for a move in Exeter?

  Possibly. Some Exeter streets are in controlled parking zones, where a removal van needs a bay suspension or dispensation arranged in advance with the council. Check your street, or tell us the postcode when you book and we will look into what is needed.

• Does the direction of the move change the cost?

  No. The cost depends on the volume of your belongings, access at both addresses and whether you need packing or storage, not on which way you are travelling. We give a clear price after a free, no-obligation survey.

Ready to Move Between Exeter and Torbay?

Whether you are heading for the coast or back towards the city, Empire Removals covers both from our Newton Abbot base. Get a free quote for your Exeter or Torbay move, or read more on our Exeter and Torquay pages. This Exeter vs Torbay comparison is updated as new ONS figures are released.