Oxford is one of the most expensive places to live in the UK, and yet many people in our city earn less than what’s needed for a decent standard of living.
The Oxford Living Wage is a voluntary minimum wage that organisations can adopt to reflect the real cost of living and working in Oxford. It’s a tangible way for employers to support their staff, strengthen their organisation, and demonstrate long term commitment to building a fairer and more inclusive local economy.
The Oxford Living Wage has grown out of the Living Wage Foundation’s national campaign to secure a wage people can genuinely live on, not just the legal minimum.
Set annually by Oxford City Council, the Oxford Living Wage is calculated at 95% of the London Living Wage. It’s based on extensive research by the Living Wage Foundation and Resolution Foundation into the actual costs of living like housing, food, and transport
For 2025-26 the Oxford Living Wage is set at £13.16 per hour.
Become an Oxford Living Wage employer
Accreditation is free and open to any organisation that is either based in Oxford or that does business in the city.
How to apply for employer accreditationContact the Economic Development Team
Address: Oxford City CouncilTown Hall
St Aldate’s
Oxford, OX1 1BX
