Davenport vs Iowa City: Police Officer Salary (2026)
Compare police officer salaries between Davenport, IA and Iowa City, IA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | Davenport, IA | Iowa City, IA |
|---|---|---|
| Median Salary | $70,648 | $78,521▲ |
| Hourly Rate | $33.97 | $37.75▲ |
| Entry Level (P10) | $48,933 | $65,206▲ |
| 25th Percentile | $63,609 | $77,656▲ |
| 75th Percentile | $81,428 | $85,086▲ |
| Top Earner (P90) | $94,094 | $95,516▲ |
| Total Employed | 690▲ | 320 |
Verdict
Iowa City, IA offers better overall compensation for police officers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Davenport.
The salary gap between Davenport and Iowa City is $7,873 (11.14%). Iowa City's median is -0.03% compared to the US national median of $78,542.
Salary Range Comparison
The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Davenport spans $45,161,Iowa City spans $30,310. Davenport has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison
After cost-of-living adjustment, Iowa City ($85,807 effective) pays 8.19% more than Davenport ($79,309 effective).
Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.
Which City Is Right for You?
Choose Davenport if…
- ✓Larger job market (690 employed)
- ✓You prefer the Iowa area and lifestyle
Choose Iowa City if…
- ✓Higher median salary ($78,521/year)
- ✓Better top-earner potential ($95,516)
- ✓Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $85,807)
- ✓You prefer the Iowa area and lifestyle
Historical Salary Growth Comparison
Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, police officer salaries in Davenport grew 12.3% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 20.9% growth in Iowa City over the same period.
Davenport, IA
$61,050 (2019) → $68,550 (2025)
Iowa City, IA
$63,030 (2019) → $76,190 (2025)
View Full Salary Data
Davenport, IA
Iowa City, IA
Frequently Asked Questions
Which city pays police officers more: Davenport or Iowa City?
What is the hourly rate difference between Davenport and Iowa City?
Should I relocate from Davenport to Iowa City as a police officer?
What do entry-level police officers earn in Davenport vs Iowa City?
Written by Jordan Lee, BA Criminal Justice
Career Analyst
Jordan Lee has over 10 years of experience in law enforcement. They specialize in community policing strategies. Jordan works with a municipal police department.
Methodology & Data Source
All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 3.06% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS , released .
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, BA Criminal Justice, a licensed police officer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov