Pay vs cost of living
How far does a Police and Detective's pay go, state by state?
A Police and Detective's pay leaves the most room in California — about $10,749/mo take-home against $1,969/mo typical rent — and the least in Mississippi.
| State | Est. take-home | Typical rent | Rent share |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $10,749/mo | $1,969/mo | 18% |
| New Jersey | $8,914/mo | $1,656/mo | 19% |
| Hawaii | $9,177/mo | $1,927/mo | 21% |
| Illinois | $8,350/mo | $1,246/mo | 15% |
| Washington | $8,224/mo | $1,641/mo | 20% |
| Alaska | $7,750/mo | $1,361/mo | 18% |
| New York | $7,979/mo | $1,621/mo | 20% |
| Colorado | $7,924/mo | $1,659/mo | 21% |
| Delaware | $7,522/mo | $1,321/mo | 18% |
| Minnesota | $7,381/mo | $1,230/mo | 17% |
| District of Columbia | $8,024/mo | $1,900/mo | 24% |
| Oregon | $7,480/mo | $1,431/mo | 19% |
| Nevada | $7,466/mo | $1,478/mo | 20% |
| Nebraska | $6,739/mo | $1,017/mo | 15% |
| Maryland | $7,320/mo | $1,683/mo | 23% |
| Connecticut | $7,091/mo | $1,483/mo | 21% |
| Texas | $6,880/mo | $1,328/mo | 19% |
| Pennsylvania | $6,656/mo | $1,176/mo | 18% |
| Arizona | $6,717/mo | $1,419/mo | 21% |
| Vermont | $6,467/mo | $1,207/mo | 19% |
| Ohio | $6,221/mo | $986/mo | 16% |
| Utah | $6,625/mo | $1,396/mo | 21% |
| Wisconsin | $6,223/mo | $1,033/mo | 17% |
| Iowa | $6,080/mo | $932/mo | 15% |
| North Dakota | $6,044/mo | $911/mo | 15% |
| Virginia | $6,558/mo | $1,547/mo | 24% |
| Michigan | $6,066/mo | $1,072/mo | 18% |
| New Hampshire | $6,137/mo | $1,424/mo | 23% |
| Idaho | $5,868/mo | $1,163/mo | 20% |
| Florida | $6,191/mo | $1,542/mo | 25% |
| Massachusetts | $6,330/mo | $1,716/mo | 27% |
| Indiana | $5,610/mo | $1,022/mo | 18% |
| Rhode Island | $5,750/mo | $1,289/mo | 22% |
| Wyoming | $5,426/mo | $979/mo | 18% |
| South Dakota | $5,249/mo | $910/mo | 17% |
| Oklahoma | $5,274/mo | $970/mo | 18% |
| Montana | $5,290/mo | $1,031/mo | 19% |
| Kansas | $5,254/mo | $1,025/mo | 20% |
| Maine | $5,320/mo | $1,104/mo | 21% |
| Missouri | $5,142/mo | $997/mo | 19% |
| North Carolina | $5,168/mo | $1,147/mo | 22% |
| New Mexico | $5,050/mo | $1,034/mo | 20% |
| Alabama | $4,847/mo | $967/mo | 20% |
| South Carolina | $4,922/mo | $1,131/mo | 23% |
| Kentucky | $4,671/mo | $918/mo | 20% |
| Georgia | $4,940/mo | $1,320/mo | 27% |
| West Virginia | $4,458/mo | $848/mo | 19% |
| Tennessee | $4,497/mo | $1,111/mo | 25% |
| Louisiana | $4,247/mo | $1,028/mo | 24% |
| Arkansas | $3,891/mo | $903/mo | 23% |
| Mississippi | $3,715/mo | $933/mo | 25% |
Take-home is that state's BLS OEWS 2023 median wage after a rough ~22% tax estimate — a ballpark, not a real paycheck. Rent is population-weighted Census gross rent (utilities included). Neither includes state taxes, insurance, or the cost of moving.