๐Ÿ’ฐ COL Index: 92 โ€” Below Avg Cost

Salaries in Southaven, MS

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

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

Avg. Salary
$55,707
across 27 roles
COL-Adjusted Avg
$60,289
real purchasing power
Top Paying Role
Software Developer
$124,358
1BR Rent
$785
median monthly

People think of Mississippi and picture low wages, but Southavenโ€™s median household income sits at $76,159โ€”higher than the national average. Thatโ€™s the first surprise. The second? That money goes a lot further here.

With a cost of living index of 92.4, youโ€™re effectively getting a 7.6% discount on life compared to the U.S. average. A one-bedroom apartment runs you about $785 a month. When you adjust for that, the average salary here isnโ€™t $55,707; it feels more like $60,289. Thatโ€™s real purchasing power, especially if youโ€™re coming from a pricier market.

So whoโ€™s earning it? This is a logistics and healthcare town. Youโ€™ve got the big FedEx hub and a growing medical corridor. The top-paying jobs reflect that: software developers lead the pack at $124,358, but registered nurses and accountants do very well, too. Teachers and electricians also see respectable, COL-adjusted wages that stretch. Itโ€™s a place where skilled trades and tech can thrive without the coastal price tag.

Hereโ€™s the catch, though. While salaries look solid, wage growth hasnโ€™t exactly raced ahead of inflation lately. The cityโ€™s unemployment is a low 3.8%, which is great, but it also means employers donโ€™t feel huge pressure to bump pay. This city works best for people with established skills or those in healthcare and tech. If youโ€™re just starting out, the entry-level wages might feel tight.

Below, weโ€™ll break down the numbers for each of these top-paying roles, showing you exactly what you can expect to earn and how far itโ€™ll take you in Southaven.

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

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

๐Ÿฅ‡ -2% vs national

Software Developer

$124,358
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $134,587
โฑ Hourly $59.79/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +17.0%
๐Ÿฅˆ -2% vs national

Accountant

$84,117
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $91,036
โฑ Hourly $40.44/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +3.0%
๐Ÿฅ‰ -2% vs national

Registered Nurse

$84,107
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $91,025
โฑ Hourly $40.44/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +6.0%
4๏ธโƒฃ -2% vs national

Elementary School Teacher

$62,218
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $67,335
โฑ Hourly $29.91/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +3.0%
5๏ธโƒฃ -2% vs national

Electrician

$60,146
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $65,093
โฑ Hourly $28.92/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +3.0%

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

COL-Adjusted Salary = Raw salary divided by the cost of living index (92/100). Higher = more real purchasing power. This city's COL is below the US average.

# Occupation โ†• Raw Salary โ†•
1 Software Developer $124,358
2 Accountant $84,117
3 Registered Nurse $84,107
4 Elementary School Teacher $62,218
5 Electrician $60,146
6 Real Estate Agent $60,078
7 Heavy Truck Driver $51,879
8 Medical Assistant $48,860
9 Paralegal $48,860
10 Welder $48,860
11 Dental Hygienist $48,860
12 Project Manager $48,860
13 Police Officer $48,860
14 Graphic Designer $48,860
15 Data Analyst $48,860
16 Plumber $48,860
17 Firefighter $48,860
18 Carpenter $48,860
19 Human Resources Specialist $48,860
20 Physical Therapist $48,860
21 Financial Analyst $48,860
22 Pharmacist $48,860
23 HVAC Technician $48,860
24 Web Developer $48,860
25 Construction Manager $48,860
26 Nursing Assistant (CNA) $48,860
27 Marketing Manager $48,860

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

๐Ÿ™๏ธ Living Costs in Southaven

๐Ÿ 
1BR Rent
$785/mo
๐Ÿก
2BR Rent
$981/mo
๐Ÿ˜๏ธ
Median Home
$299,900
๐Ÿ“‰
Unemployment
3.8%
๐Ÿ’ณ
Median Income
$76,159
๐ŸŽ“
College Educated
27%
๐Ÿšถ
Walk Score
35/100
๐Ÿ“Š
Cost of Living
92
Below Avg Cost

๐Ÿงฎ Can You Afford to Live in Southaven?

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

โ“ Southaven Salary FAQ

What is the average salary in Southaven, MS?

โ–ผ
The average salary across 40 occupations in Southaven is $55,707. This is 26% lower than the median household income of $76,159, indicating a wide income distribution.

What jobs pay the most in Southaven?

โ–ผ
Software Developer is the highest-paying role at $124,358. This is more than double the city's average salary of $55,707.

Is Southaven affordable on a Software Developer salary?

โ–ผ
Yes, a Software Developer salary of $124,358 is highly affordable in Southaven. The cost of living index is 92.4, and 1BR rent is $785/month, allowing for substantial savings.

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

โ–ผ
Southaven's cost of living index of 92.4 means your paycheck has 7.6% more purchasing power than the national average. A $55,707 salary here feels like $59,921 nationally.

What salary do you need to live comfortably in Southaven?

โ–ผ
To live comfortably, aim for a salary near the median household income of $76,159. This covers the 1BR rent of $785/month while allowing for savings and discretionary spending.

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

As an editor who looks at the numbers and the reality, hereโ€™s my honest verdict: Southaven is quietly one of the better financial bets in the country. With a cost-of-living index at just 92.4 and rent averaging $785, your paycheck stretches further than you think. The average salary of $55,707 goes a surprisingly long way here.

But the real story is tech. Software developers are crushing it, pulling in an average of $124,358, which adjusts to a powerhouse $134,587 in local terms. While healthcare and trades have a stable footing, tech workers are in a league of their own financially.

My one piece of advice? Before you pack your bags, make sure you have a job lined up. The low cost of living is a massive advantage, but it only works if youโ€™re bringing in a solid tech salary to maximize it.

Explore Southaven Further