Salary & Cost of Living in Oxford, MS
Oxford, MS: $35,735 median salary, cost of living index 92.5, $7.25/hr minimum wage. Calculate your take-home pay with our free paycheck calculator.
Median Salary
$35,735
$17/hr
Cost of Living
92.5
US avg = 100
Minimum Wage
$7.25
per hour
Unemployment
3.6%
rate
Oxford, MS Overview
Population
28,122
Median Salary
$35,735
Average Salary
$40,023
Avg Commute
17 min
Median Home Price
$285,000
Median Rent
$1,154/mo
Job Growth
+1.9%
Sales Tax
7%
Oxford is located in Mississippi with a population of 28,122. The median household salary is $35,735 per year ($17/hour), which is $23,649 below the national median of $59,384. The average commute time is 17 minutes, and the city has a job growth rate of +1.9%.
Oxford Salary by Experience Level (2026)
Wage distribution in Oxford, MS based on BLS percentile breakdown of the $35,735 median salary. Entry-level represents 10th–25th percentile; mid-level is the median; senior-level represents 75th–90th percentile.
| Experience Level | Annual Salary | Hourly Wage | Years Exp |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-Level | $22,156 | $10.65/hr | 0–2 years |
| Mid-Level (Median) | $35,735 | $17.18/hr | 3–7 years |
| Senior-Level | $50,744 | $24.40/hr | 8–15 years |
| Top 10% (90th Percentile) | $63,608 | $30.58/hr | 15+ years / leadership |
Percentile multipliers (62%, 100%, 142%, 178%) derived from 2024 BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics distribution across all occupations in metro areas. Specific roles vary; see jobs by city for role-specific data.
Oxford Paycheck Calculator
Enter your annual salary to see your estimated take-home pay in Oxford, MS, after federal, state, and local taxes.
Estimated Annual Take-Home Pay
$28,965
$2,413.74/month · $1,114.03/biweekly · Effective Rate: 18.9%
Gross Pay
$35,735
Federal Tax
-$2,250
State Tax
-$1,787
Local Tax
$0
FICA
-$2,734
Net Pay
$28,965
Pay Breakdown
| Item | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | $2,977.92 | $35,735.00 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$187.48 | -$2,249.70 |
| Mississippi State Tax (5%) | -$148.90 | -$1,786.75 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$184.63 | -$2,215.57 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$43.18 | -$518.16 |
| Net Take-Home Pay | $2,413.74 | $28,964.82 |
Salary Comparison: Oxford vs Other Cities
See how Oxford's median salary and cost of living compare to the national average and similar cities.
| City | Median Salary | COL Index | Adj. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oxford, MS | $35,735 | 92.5 | $38,632 |
| National Average | $59,384 | 100 | $59,384 |
| Hinesville, GA | $35,742 | 83.5 | $42,805 |
| Butte, MT | $35,744 | 88.5 | $40,389 |
| Phenix City, AL | $35,746 | 82.8 | $43,171 |
| Tupelo, MS | $35,748 | 84.5 | $42,305 |
Adjusted salary reflects purchasing power when cost of living is factored in. A higher adjusted salary means your money goes further.
Cost of Living in Oxford
Oxford's cost of living index is 92.5 (national average = 100). Living in Oxford is 7.5% less expensive than the national average.
Median Home Price
$285,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,154
Annual Rent Cost
$13,848
Your Salary's Purchasing Power
Your $28,965 annual take-home pay in Oxford has the purchasing power of approximately $31,313 in an average-cost US area. Your $35,735 salary stretches further here than in most US cities.
Top Industries in Oxford
Oxford's economy is driven by these key industries. Workers in top industries often earn significantly above the median salary of $35,735.
Salary Tips for Oxford Workers
- Research top industries. Oxford's top industries include Agriculture, Manufacturing, Healthcare. Targeting roles in these sectors can help you earn above the $35,735 median salary.
- Review your W-4 withholding. If you regularly receive large tax refunds, adjust your W-4 to increase your per-paycheck take-home pay instead of giving the government an interest-free loan.
Methodology & Local Economy Data Sources
How we calculate Oxford salary data: Our citywide compensation figures aggregate occupation-specific salary data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for the Oxford-MS metropolitan statistical area (MSA), weighted by local employment counts. Cost-of-living adjustments use the C2ER Cost of Living Index baseline of 100 (national average), with Oxford indexed at 92.5.
- Median salary calculation: weighted average of Oxford's occupation-specific medians from BLS OEWS, adjusted for local cost of living. Net result: $35,735 annual median.
- Tax burden reflects Mississippi state income tax (5%) (no local income tax), sales tax (7%), and federal taxes per IRS 2026 brackets.
- Unemployment rate for Oxford: 3.6%, sourced from BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS).
- Top industries: Agriculture, Manufacturing, Healthcare — based on QCEW employment concentration data.
- Job growth: 1.9% projected through 2034, derived from BLS Employment Projections program for Mississippi.
- Housing context: median home price $285,000, median rent $1,154/mo, sourced from Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
Authoritative US data sources for Oxford, MS:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — metropolitan area salary data
- BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics — Oxford unemployment rate
- U.S. Census Bureau — Oxford QuickFacts — population, housing, demographics
- BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW) — county-level industry employment
- BLS Economy at a Glance — Mississippi — state economic indicators
- U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) — local GDP and personal income data
- BLS Consumer Price Index (CPI-U) — regional inflation tracking
Disclaimer: Salary and cost data are estimates for general guidance. Individual compensation varies by employer, experience, education, negotiation, and skills. Oxford's rapidly changing economy can shift these baselines — always verify with current job listings, employer offers, and recent Mississippi labor market reports for the most current figures.
Reviewed by Brazora Monk· Last updated 2026 · BLS & Census data current as of latest releases
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the median salary in Oxford, MS?
The median salary in Oxford, MS is $35,735 per year, or $17 per hour. The average salary is $40,023. This is $23,649 below the national median of $59,384.
What is the cost of living in Oxford, MS?
Oxford's cost of living index is 92.5 (national average = 100), meaning it is 7.5% less expensive compared to the national average. The median home price is $285,000 and the median monthly rent is $1,154.
What are the best industries in Oxford?
The top industries in Oxford, MS include Agriculture, Manufacturing, Healthcare. The city has a job growth rate of 1.9% and an unemployment rate of 3.6%. Workers in these industries often earn above the city's median salary of $35,735.
How does Oxford's salary compare to other cities?
Oxford's median salary of $35,735 is 39.8% below the national median of $59,384. However, when adjusted for cost of living (index: 92.5), the real purchasing power is approximately $38,632.
What is the minimum wage in Oxford, MS?
The minimum wage in Oxford, MS is $7.25 per hour. This equals approximately $15,080 per year for a full-time worker (40 hours/week). This matches the federal minimum wage of $7.25/hour.