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Detectives and Criminal Investigators Salary in Missouri: Cost of Living Adjusted (2025)

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

What does a Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary really buy you in Missouri?

Missouri is 8.9% cheaper than the US average

Data: BLS OEWS 2025 + BEA Regional Price Parities 2022 • Updated 2026-05-19

Nominal Salary
$75,650
Median annual (2025)
+9.8%
Real Purchasing Power
$83,040
COL-adjusted (RPP=91.1)

Missouri Cost of Living Index

Missouri's Regional Price Parity (RPP) is 91.1, meaning prices are 8.9% lower the national average. A Detectives and Criminal Investigators earning $75,650 in Missouri has the equivalent purchasing power of $83,040 in an average-cost US state.

MO: 91.1
Cheapest (~85) US Avg (100) Priciest (~115)

Salary Breakdown: Nominal vs. COL-Adjusted

Every dollar goes further in low-cost states. Here is how each salary percentile compares after adjusting for Missouri's cost of living.

Percentile Nominal Salary COL-Adjusted Difference
10th Percentile (P10) $49,190 $53,995 +$4,805
25th Percentile (P25) $56,870 $62,425 +$5,555
Median (P50) $75,650 $83,040 +$7,390
75th Percentile (P75) $93,910 $103,084 +$9,174
90th Percentile (P90) $151,720 $166,542 +$14,822
Key Insight

A Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Missouri earns $75,650 on paper, but low living costs mean your money goes 10% further — like earning $83,040 in an average-cost state. This makes Missouri one of the best value states for this occupation.

What the Cost-of-Living Data Says

Missouri Runs Well Below National Cost

RPP 91.1

Missouri's Regional Price Parity (RPP) of 91.1 means a basket of goods and services costs about 8.9% less than the national average. For a Detectives and Criminal Investigators, every dollar earned effectively buys more here than in a 100-RPP state.

Meaningful Purchasing-Power Shift

+9.8%

After applying Missouri's RPP, the $75,650 median salary translates to $83,041 in real terms — a 9.8% gain. That difference can cover several months of expenses over a year for a Detectives and Criminal Investigators.

Below-Median Adjusted Pay

#38 / 51

Missouri's rank of #38 of 51 states means real purchasing power for Detectives and Criminal Investigators trails the national half-way line.

Best States for Detectives and Criminal Investigators (After Cost of Living)

Where does Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.

$137,873
RPP 116.6
$124,540
RPP 98.0
$120,695
RPP 105.0
4. Alaska
$112,686
RPP 102.0
$111,948
RPP 89.8
$110,968
RPP 112.5
$110,440
RPP 102.1
$106,893
RPP 108.8
$105,455
RPP 109.8
10. Vermont
$105,173
RPP 101.1

Missouri ranks #38 out of 51 states for Detectives and Criminal Investigators after cost-of-living adjustment.

How much do you actually take home? See Detectives and Criminal Investigators take-home pay in Missouri after taxes →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the real salary for a Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Missouri after cost of living?

A Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Missouri earns a median salary of $75,650 per year. After adjusting for Missouri's cost of living (RPP=91.1), the real purchasing power is $83,040 — a +9.8% difference.

Is Missouri expensive to live in?

Missouri's cost of living is 8.9% lower than the national average according to the BEA Regional Price Parities (2022). The RPP index for Missouri is 91.1 (US average = 100).

What are Regional Price Parities (RPP)?

Regional Price Parities (RPPs) are price indexes published by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) that measure differences in price levels across states. They are expressed as a percentage of the national average (US = 100). Higher RPP means higher cost of living.

How is the cost-of-living adjusted salary calculated?

The adjusted salary is calculated as: Nominal Salary x (100 / RPP). For a Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Missouri: $75,650 x (100 / 91.1) = $83,040. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.

Is it better to be a Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Missouri financially?

From a purchasing power perspective, yes. A Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Missouri enjoys 9.8% more buying power than the nominal salary suggests, because living costs are below the national average. However, other factors like job availability, career growth, and quality of life also matter.

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