AmericaByNumbers.com

Security Guards Salary in Texas: Cost of Living Adjusted (2024)

What does a Security Guards salary really buy you in Texas?

Texas is 2.5% cheaper than the US average

Data: BLS OEWS 2024 + BEA Regional Price Parities 2022 • Updated 2026-03-31

Nominal Salary
$33,390
Median annual (2024)
+2.6%
Real Purchasing Power
$34,246
COL-adjusted (RPP=97.5)

Texas Cost of Living Index

Texas's Regional Price Parity (RPP) is 97.5, meaning prices are 2.5% lower the national average. A Security Guards earning $33,390 in Texas has the equivalent purchasing power of $34,246 in an average-cost US state.

TX: 97.5
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 Texas's cost of living.

Percentile Nominal Salary COL-Adjusted Difference
10th Percentile (P10) $24,710 $25,343 +$633
25th Percentile (P25) $28,810 $29,548 +$738
Median (P50) $33,390 $34,246 +$856
75th Percentile (P75) $38,970 $39,969 +$999
90th Percentile (P90) $49,200 $50,461 +$1,261
Key Insight

Texas's cost of living is close to the national average, so $33,390 keeps most of its value at $34,246 in real terms. Location choice here is more about career opportunities than cost arbitrage.

Best States for Security Guards (After Cost of Living)

Where does Security Guards salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.

1. Alaska
$47,666
RPP 102.0
$47,103
RPP 97.7
$45,062
RPP 88.7
$45,043
RPP 102.3
5. Utah
$44,910
RPP 94.5
$44,654
RPP 91.1
7. Idaho
$44,237
RPP 91.8
$43,724
RPP 109.8
$43,363
RPP 89.8
10. Arkansas
$42,829
RPP 86.6

Texas ranks #49 out of 50 states for Security Guards after cost-of-living adjustment.

What To Do Next

Some links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the real salary for a Security Guards in Texas after cost of living?

A Security Guards in Texas earns a median salary of $33,390 per year. After adjusting for Texas's cost of living (RPP=97.5), the real purchasing power is $34,246 — a +2.6% difference.

Is Texas expensive to live in?

Texas's cost of living is 2.5% lower than the national average according to the BEA Regional Price Parities (2022). The RPP index for Texas is 97.5 (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 Security Guards in Texas: $33,390 x (100 / 97.5) = $34,246. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.

Is it better to be a Security Guards in Texas financially?

From a purchasing power perspective, yes. A Security Guards in Texas enjoys 2.6% 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.

Related Salary Pages