Police Officer Salary

Grapevine vs Houston: Police Officer Salary (2026)

Compare police officer salaries between Grapevine, TX and Houston, TX. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Grapevine, TX
$74,595
$35.86/hr
Houston, TX
$76,852
$36.95/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricGrapevine, TXHouston, TX
Median Salary$74,595$76,852
Hourly Rate$35.86$36.95
Entry Level (P10)$47,424$60,919
25th Percentile$58,166$63,114
75th Percentile$95,481$85,004
Top Earner (P90)$114,476$96,670
Total Employed1216,250
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Grapevine ($74,595) and Houston ($76,852) police officer salaries.GrapevineHoustonMedian Salary$74,595$76,852Entry Level (P10)$47,424$60,919Top Earner (P90)$114,476$96,670US Median $78,542

Verdict

Houston, TX offers better overall compensation for police officers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Grapevine.

The salary gap between Grapevine and Houston is $2,257 (3.03%). Houston's median is -2.15% compared to the US national median of $78,542.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Grapevine spans $67,052,Houston spans $35,751. Grapevine has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Grapevine
P10 (Entry)$47,424
P25$58,166
Median$74,595
P75$95,481
P90 (Top)$114,476
Houston
P10 (Entry)$60,919
P25$63,114
Median$76,852
P75$85,004
P90 (Top)$96,670

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Houston ($77,920 effective) pays 0.28% more than Grapevine ($77,703 effective).

Grapevine
Nominal: $74,595
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $77,703
Houston
Nominal: $76,852
CoL Index: 98.629
Adjusted: $77,920

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Grapevine if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($114,476)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose Houston if…

  • Higher median salary ($76,852/year)
  • Larger job market (16,250 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $77,920)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, police officer salaries in Grapevine grew 7.9% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 15.4% growth in Houston over the same period.

Grapevine, TX

+7.9%

$67,090 (2024) → $72,380 (2025)

Houston, TX

+15.4%

$64,620 (2019) → $74,570 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays police officers more: Grapevine or Houston?

Houston has a higher median police officer salary at $76,852/year, compared to Grapevine at $74,595/year — a difference of $2,257 (3.03%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Grapevine and Houston?

Grapevine police officers earn $35.86/hr while Houston hygienists earn $36.95/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Grapevine to Houston as a police officer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Grapevine and Houston. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Grapevine = $77,703, Houston = $77,920), job availability (12 vs 16,250 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level police officers earn in Grapevine vs Houston?

Entry-level (10th percentile) police officers earn $47,424 in Grapevine and $60,919 in Houston. The Houston area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

JL

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