How Much Does Oxycodone (OxyContin/Percocet) Cost On The Street?

In 2025, OxyContin that’s sold on the street costs around $1 per mg, and comes in 10 mg, 20 mg, 40 mg, 80 mg, and 160 mg size pills. As with many prescription drugs sold on the street, an entire bottle will cost hundreds of dollars, and someone battling addiction may find themselves taking multiple pills per day to achieve a euphoric high.

OxyContin is highly addictive and is one of the most abused drugs on the street today.

Addiction to OxyContin is both extremely expensive and potentially deadly.

How Much Does An OxyContin Pill Cost On The Street?

How much an OxyContin pill costs on the street will vary depending on the contained dose, but it can cost upwards of $50 to $80 per pill. The effects of the pill will last around 12 hours.

Factors That Affect The Street Cost Of OxyContin

OxyContin (oxycodone extended-release) represents one of the most significant prescription opioids in illegal markets, having played a central role in the modern opioid crisis. As a Schedule II controlled substance with high abuse potential, diverted OxyContin commands substantial prices on illegal markets, with costs influenced by various supply and demand factors.

Factors affecting illicit OxyContin prices:

• Formulation Type: original crushable formulations typically cost more than newer abuse-deterrent versions
• Dosage Strength: higher milligram pills (40mg, 80mg) command significantly higher prices than lower doses (10mg, 20mg)
• Geographic Location: rural areas often see higher prices due to limited supply and higher demand
• Prescription Monitoring Programs: states with stricter tracking systems typically have reduced supply and higher prices
• Brand vs Generic: brand-name OxyContin often costs more than generic oxycodone ER formulations
• Law Enforcement Pressure: “Pill mill” crackdowns can dramatically affect local availability and pricing
• Competition from Heroin/Fentanyl: cheaper alternatives have impacted demand in some markets
• Insurance and Legitimate Access: areas with better healthcare access may have more diversion, but also more competition
• Seasonal Patterns: end-of-month prescription cycles can affect short-term availability and pricing
  Dealer Network Sophistication: organized operations versus individual diverters affect pricing structures

The illicit OxyContin market demonstrates how prescription drug diversion creates artificial scarcity that drives prices far above legitimate costs. The transition many users make from expensive prescription opioids to cheaper street alternatives like heroin and fentanyl illustrates how these pricing dynamics contribute to escalating drug use patterns. Understanding these market forces is crucial for developing policies that address both the medical need for pain management and the prevention of prescription drug abuse.

Cost Difference Between OxyContin, Percocet, And Oxycodone On The Street

OxyContin and oxycodone both contain the active ingredient oxycodone. The difference between the two is that generic oxycodone is an immediate-release version that lasts for about five to six hours, while OxyContin is a brand-name version meant to last all day.

On the street, a pill of generic oxycodone will cost around $12-$40. OxyContin can go for much higher, at around $50 to $80 per pill, mostly due to its brand name. Percocet is a brand-name pill of oxycodone mixed with acetaminophen. Percocet will cost less, at around $10-$20 per pill, because it contains less of the narcotic oxycodone.

Dangers Of Buying OxyContin On The Street

One of the most serious dangers is fentanyl contamination. Counterfeit pills made to look exactly like legitimate OxyContin tablets are increasingly common, and many contain illicitly manufactured fentanyl instead of oxycodone. Because fentanyl is so potent, even a single counterfeit pill can be fatal for someone who does not know what they are actually consuming. Fentanyl test strips can help detect contamination, but the only truly safe option is to avoid street pills altogether.

Street pills vary widely in their actual content and potency, making dosage control impossible. This greatly increases the risk of overdose, especially for people whose tolerance has dropped after a period of not using. The financial cost of street OxyContin addiction is also unsustainable for most people, often driving individuals toward cheaper but even more dangerous alternatives like heroin or fentanyl.

To learn more about opioid abuse and how to find the right opioid rehab program, talk to an addiction expert or your primary care provider.

Written by the Addiction Resource Editorial Staff