Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:
What does a Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary really buy you in Rhode Island?
Rhode Island is 4.7% pricier than the US averageData: BLS OEWS 2025 + BEA Regional Price Parities 2022 • Updated 2026-05-19
Rhode Island's Regional Price Parity (RPP) is 104.7, meaning prices are 4.7% higher the national average. A Detectives and Criminal Investigators earning $88,450 in Rhode Island has the equivalent purchasing power of $84,479 in an average-cost US state.
Every dollar goes further in low-cost states. Here is how each salary percentile compares after adjusting for Rhode Island's cost of living.
| Percentile | Nominal Salary | COL-Adjusted | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile (P10) | $75,910 | $72,502 | $-3,407 |
| 25th Percentile (P25) | $77,760 | $74,269 | $-3,490 |
| Median (P50) | $88,450 | $84,479 | $-3,970 |
| 75th Percentile (P75) | $99,100 | $94,651 | $-4,448 |
| 90th Percentile (P90) | $159,140 | $151,996 | $-7,143 |
While $88,450 sounds high, Rhode Island's elevated cost of living erases 4% of that salary's purchasing power. Your real buying power is $84,479. Consider whether the higher pay offsets the higher costs.
Rhode Island's RPP of 104.7 puts it 4.7% above the national baseline cost of living. A Detectives and Criminal Investigators needs that premium in nominal pay just to maintain the same purchasing power as an average-cost state.
After applying Rhode Island's RPP, the $88,450 median salary translates to $84,479 in real terms — a 4.5% loss. That difference can cover several months of expenses over a year for a Detectives and Criminal Investigators.
Rhode Island's rank of #34 of 51 states means real purchasing power for Detectives and Criminal Investigators trails the national half-way line.
Where does Detectives and Criminal Investigators salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.
Rhode Island ranks #34 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 Rhode Island after taxes →
A Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Rhode Island earns a median salary of $88,450 per year. After adjusting for Rhode Island's cost of living (RPP=104.7), the real purchasing power is $84,479 — a -4.5% difference.
Rhode Island's cost of living is 4.7% higher than the national average according to the BEA Regional Price Parities (2022). The RPP index for Rhode Island is 104.7 (US average = 100).
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.
The adjusted salary is calculated as: Nominal Salary x (100 / RPP). For a Detectives and Criminal Investigators in Rhode Island: $88,450 x (100 / 104.7) = $84,479. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.
Partially — a Detectives and Criminal Investigators's nominal salary of $88,450 in Rhode Island has 4.5% less purchasing power due to higher living costs. The real value is $84,479. However, Rhode Island may offer better career opportunities, networking, and industry access.
Some links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.