๐Ÿ’ฐ COL Index: 84 โ€” Very Affordable

Salaries in Greenville, MS

What every job actually pays โ€” cost-of-living adjusted

Updated: February 2026 ยท 27 occupations ยท BLS + Census data

Avg. Salary
$54,270
across 27 roles
COL-Adjusted Avg
$64,608
real purchasing power
Top Paying Role
Software Developer
$121,151
1BR Rent
$714
median monthly

Hereโ€™s the thing about Greenville, Mississippi: you can write software for a company in another state and live like a king. The cityโ€™s median household income is a low $36,297, but its cost of living is a shockingly low 84% of the national average. That gap is where the opportunity is.

Letโ€™s talk real purchasing power. A one-bedroom apartment runs you just $714 a month. The median salary here is $54,270, but when you adjust for that low cost of living, your effective buying power jumps to a solid $64,608. Itโ€™s not a fortune, but your dollars stretch in a way they just canโ€™t in most of the country. For a single person or a couple, itโ€™s a genuine financial runway.

Whoโ€™s actually thriving here? Itโ€™s a split screen. The old-school economy is still the backboneโ€”think agriculture, river logistics, and healthcare. Greenville is a major port on the Mississippi River, and the Delta Regional Authority keeps that sector humming. But the real money is flowing to remote-friendly roles. Software developers, pulling down a COL-adjusted $144,227, are the new aristocracy. Accountants and registered nurses, both earning in the high $90s after adjustment, do very well too.

Hereโ€™s the honest catch: the average salary is still only $54,270. The tech boom isnโ€™t lifting all boats; itโ€™s creating a niche for the mobile and educated. If you donโ€™t have a remote job or a skill in that top tier, youโ€™ll be comfortable but not building wealth quickly. Itโ€™s a place that works beautifully for the right professional, but itโ€™s not a shortcut for everyone.

The numbers below tell the rest of the storyโ€”who gets paid, and what your life actually costs.

๐Ÿ† Top 5 Highest-Paying Jobs in Greenville

Ranked by raw salary. See COL-adjusted figures in the full table below.

๐Ÿฅ‡ -5% vs national

Software Developer

$121,151
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $144,227
โฑ Hourly $58.25/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +17.0%
๐Ÿฅˆ -5% vs national

Accountant

$81,948
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $97,557
โฑ Hourly $39.40/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +3.0%
๐Ÿฅ‰ -5% vs national

Registered Nurse

$81,938
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $97,545
โฑ Hourly $39.39/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +6.0%
4๏ธโƒฃ -5% vs national

Elementary School Teacher

$60,613
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $72,158
โฑ Hourly $29.14/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +3.0%
5๏ธโƒฃ -5% vs national

Electrician

$58,595
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $69,756
โฑ Hourly $28.17/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +3.0%

๐Ÿ“‹ Complete Salary Guide โ€” All 27 Occupations in Greenville

COL-Adjusted Salary = Raw salary divided by the cost of living index (84/100). Higher = more real purchasing power. This city's COL is below the US average.

# Occupation โ†• Raw Salary โ†•
1 Software Developer $121,151
2 Accountant $81,948
3 Registered Nurse $81,938
4 Elementary School Teacher $60,613
5 Electrician $58,595
6 Real Estate Agent $58,528
7 Heavy Truck Driver $50,541
8 Paralegal $47,600
9 Nursing Assistant (CNA) $47,600
10 Welder $47,600
11 Web Developer $47,600
12 Police Officer $47,600
13 Project Manager $47,600
14 Data Analyst $47,600
15 Graphic Designer $47,600
16 Plumber $47,600
17 Firefighter $47,600
18 Carpenter $47,600
19 Human Resources Specialist $47,600
20 Financial Analyst $47,600
21 Pharmacist $47,600
22 HVAC Technician $47,600
23 Physical Therapist $47,600
24 Dental Hygienist $47,600
25 Construction Manager $47,600
26 Marketing Manager $47,600
27 Medical Assistant $47,600

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics. COL Index from C2ER/ACCRA.

๐Ÿ™๏ธ Living Costs in Greenville

๐Ÿ 
1BR Rent
$714/mo
๐Ÿก
2BR Rent
$892/mo
๐Ÿ˜๏ธ
Median Home
$129,900
๐Ÿ“‰
Unemployment
3.8%
๐Ÿ’ณ
Median Income
$36,297
๐ŸŽ“
College Educated
20%
๐Ÿšถ
Walk Score
30/100
๐Ÿ“Š
Cost of Living
84
Very Affordable

๐Ÿงฎ Can You Afford to Live in Greenville?

Use our Salary Reality Check to see if your specific income covers housing, taxes, and expenses in Greenville. Enter your salary and see exactly how far your money goes.

โ“ Greenville Salary FAQ

What is the average salary in Greenville, MS?

โ–ผ
The average salary across 40 occupations is $54,270. The median household income is $36,297. This indicates a significant gap between average and median earnings, suggesting a skewed distribution.

What jobs pay the most in Greenville?

โ–ผ
The highest paying role is Software Developer at $121,151. This is more than double the area's average salary. It reflects the premium for tech skills in the local market.

Is Greenville affordable on a Software Developer salary?

โ–ผ
Yes, a Software Developer salary of $121,151 is highly affordable in Greenville. The Cost of Living Index is 84.0, which is 16% below the national average. A 1BR apartment rents for $714/month, leaving substantial disposable income.

How does Greenville's cost of living affect my paycheck?

โ–ผ
Greenville's low COL Index of 84.0 means your paycheck has 16% more purchasing power than the national average. For example, the $714/month rent for a 1BR is significantly below typical U.S. rates. This effectively increases the real value of your salary.

What salary do you need to live comfortably in Greenville?

โ–ผ
A comfortable living salary is approximately $54,270, which matches the area's average. This covers the $714/month rent with ample room for other expenses. The COL index of 84.0 makes this income go further than in most U.S. cities.

๐Ÿ“ Editor's Verdict: Is Greenville Worth It?

Hereโ€™s my honest take: Greenville isnโ€™t where you chase the highest paycheckโ€”itโ€™s where your money stretches. With a cost-of-living index of 84 and rent at $714, that $54,270 average feels more like $65,000 elsewhere. But the real story is the software developer: $121,151 raw, $144,227 adjusted. Thatโ€™s a steal.

If youโ€™re in tech, you win. Healthcare and trades get by, but the ceiling is lower. For everyone else, itโ€™s a budget-friendly base, not a launchpad.

My advice? If youโ€™re remote or in software, moveโ€”and lock in that rent. If youโ€™re not, treat Greenville as a stepping stone, not a forever home.

Explore Greenville Further