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MarketsMississippiOxfordCost of Living & Affordability

Cost of Living & Affordability: Oxford, MS

Updated 2026 · Based on median market data for Oxford, MS

Cap Rate
5.15%
Median Price
$395K
Rent/Mo
$2,350
1% Rule
0.59%
Fails

Housing Affordability

Oxford's price-to-income ratio is 10.0x — homes cost 10.0 times the local median household income of $39,333. Housing is stretched relative to local incomes. Many workers are effectively priced out of buying, creating deep rental demand. This is favorable for landlords but also means your tenants may be more cost-sensitive.

Rent vs Buy Analysis

A typical mortgage payment on a median-priced home in Oxford (20% down at 7%) is approximately $2,627/mo for principal and interest alone — add taxes and insurance and the all-in payment reaches roughly $2,976. The median rent of $2,350/mo is significantly less than buying — this rent-vs-buy gap is one of the strongest indicators of sustainable rental demand. When renting is cheaper than buying, the renter pool stays deep and vacancy stays low.

Income & Employment

The median household income in Oxford is $39,333, with a population of 50,000 growing at 0.2% per year. Oxford is a smaller market. Research the local employment base carefully — smaller cities can be significantly impacted by a single employer's decisions.

What This Means for Investors

Despite higher relative prices, Oxford compensates with deep rental demand from a large population priced out of homeownership. Focus on neighborhoods where rent growth is strongest and tenant quality is highest.

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How Oxford Compares

Oxford vs Mississippi state average and national average across key investment metrics. Oxford beats the national average but trails the Mississippi average on cap rate.

Metric
Oxford
Mississippi Avg
National Avg
Cap Rate
5.15%
6.26%
3.81%
Median Price
$395K
$208K
$333K
Median Rent
$2,350
$1,387
$1,524
Property Tax
0.66%
0.66%
1.08%
Vacancy
7.4%
7.4%
5.6%
Pop. Growth
0.2%/yr
0.2%/yr
0.9%/yr

Nearby South Markets

City
Cap Rate
Price
Rent
Tax
Oxford, MS
5.2%
$395K
$2,350
0.66%
Baltimore, MD
3.4%
$395K
$1,860
1.04%
Sevierville, TN
3.5%
$395K
$1,740
0.65%
Sarasota, FL
4.3%
$400K
$2,090
0.86%
Cullowhee, NC
2.0%
$400K
$1,250
0.78%

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Oxford affordable for renters?
Renters in Oxford spend approximately 72% of median household income on rent. This exceeds the 30% affordability threshold, meaning housing costs are stretched relative to local incomes. The median household income is $39,333, below the level needed for comfortable renting.
What is the price-to-income ratio in Oxford?
Oxford's price-to-income ratio is 10.0x, meaning homes cost 10.0 times the local median income. This is elevated — most residents find buying difficult, supporting deep rental demand.
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Oxford?
A mortgage payment (20% down, 7% rate) on the median $395K home is approximately $2,101/mo before taxes and insurance. Adding those costs brings it to roughly $2,450/mo. The median rent of $2,350/mo is less than the cost of buying — this parity means some renters could transition to buying.
How does Oxford's cost of living compare to the national average?
Home prices in Oxford ($395K) are 18% above the national average. Rents ($2,350/mo) are 54% above average. Property taxes (0.66%) are below the 1.08% national average.
Full Oxford Analysis →Cap Rate CalculatorBRRRR Calculator

Explore Oxford & Related Markets

More Oxford Guides

Rental Property Investment GuideRent AnalysisProperty Tax GuideAppreciation & Growth ForecastNeighborhood Investment Guide

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