Salary comparison
First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives: Fairbanks vs Sacramento
Sacramento, CA pays about 18.8% more for first-line supervisors of police and detectives on paper — $163,810 vs $137,880. But once you factor in what it costs to live there, Sacramento comes out ahead by $25,930 a year in real buying power.
Fairbanks, AK
$137,880
$97,020
$163,920
$66.29
100
$137,880/yr
Median adjusted for local cost of living.
Sacramento, CA
$163,810
$134,890
$184,320
$78.76
100
$163,810/yr
Median adjusted for local cost of living.
What the numbers mean in practice
The headline gap is $25,930 a year (18.8%) in favor of Sacramento. That is the raw salary difference before any living costs.
Fairbanks runs a cost index of 100 against the national baseline of 100; Sacramento sits at 100. After adjusting the median for those costs, Sacramento is the better deal by $25,930 a year — that is what each paycheck actually buys locally.
If you are weighing a move from Fairbanks to Sacramento for this role, the raise needs to beat 18.8% to come out ahead after living costs. Anything below that and you are earning more on paper but keeping less.
Common questions
Where do first-line supervisors of police and detectives earn more, Fairbanks or Sacramento?
Sacramento pays $163,810 on median — about 18.8% more than Fairbanks ($137,880). Based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Which city is the better deal after living costs?
Sacramento. Once you divide each median by the local cost index, Sacramento gives you roughly$163,810 of real buying power versus $137,880 in the other city.