Salary comparison
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers: Los Angeles vs New York
Los Angeles, CA pays about 15.6% more for police and sheriff's patrol officers on paper — $121,980 vs $105,540. But once you factor in what it costs to live there, Los Angeles comes out ahead by $16,440 a year in real buying power.
Los Angeles, CA
$121,980
$98,180
$126,080
$58.64
100
$121,980/yr
Median adjusted for local cost of living.
New York, NY
$105,540
$57,180
$107,690
$50.74
100
$105,540/yr
Median adjusted for local cost of living.
What the numbers mean in practice
The headline gap is $16,440 a year (15.6%) in favor of Los Angeles. That is the raw salary difference before any living costs.
Los Angeles runs a cost index of 100 against the national baseline of 100; New York sits at 100. After adjusting the median for those costs, Los Angeles is the better deal by $16,440 a year — that is what each paycheck actually buys locally.
If you are weighing a move from New York to Los Angeles for this role, the raise needs to beat 15.6% to come out ahead after living costs. Anything below that and you are earning more on paper but keeping less.
Common questions
Where do police and sheriff's patrol officers earn more, Los Angeles or New York?
Los Angeles pays $121,980 on median — about 15.6% more than New York ($105,540). Based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Which city is the better deal after living costs?
Los Angeles. Once you divide each median by the local cost index, Los Angeles gives you roughly$121,980 of real buying power versus $105,540 in the other city.