Police Officer Salary

Moreno Valley vs San Francisco: Police Officer Salary (2026)

Compare police officer salaries between Moreno Valley, CA and San Francisco, CA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Moreno Valley, CA
$111,578
$53.64/hr
San Francisco, CA
$136,039
$65.40/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMoreno Valley, CASan Francisco, CA
Median Salary$111,578$136,039
Hourly Rate$53.64$65.40
Entry Level (P10)$67,464$98,309
25th Percentile$84,834$128,794
75th Percentile$142,820$146,149
Top Earner (P90)$172,946$161,485
Total Employed537,990
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Moreno Valley ($111,578) and San Francisco ($136,039) police officer salaries.Moreno ValleySan FranciscoMedian Salary$111,578$136,039Entry Level (P10)$67,464$98,309Top Earner (P90)$172,946$161,485US Median $78,542

Verdict

San Francisco, CA offers better overall compensation for police officers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Moreno Valley.

The salary gap between Moreno Valley and San Francisco is $24,461 (21.92%). San Francisco's median is +73.21% compared to the US national median of $78,542.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Moreno Valley spans $105,482,San Francisco spans $63,176. Moreno Valley has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Moreno Valley
P10 (Entry)$67,464
P25$84,834
Median$111,578
P75$142,820
P90 (Top)$172,946
San Francisco
P10 (Entry)$98,309
P25$128,794
Median$136,039
P75$146,149
P90 (Top)$161,485

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, San Francisco ($117,668 effective) pays 19.27% more than Moreno Valley ($98,654 effective).

Moreno Valley
Nominal: $111,578
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $98,654
San Francisco
Nominal: $136,039
CoL Index: 115.613
Adjusted: $117,668

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Moreno Valley if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($172,946)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose San Francisco if…

  • Higher median salary ($136,039/year)
  • Larger job market (7,990 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $117,668)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, police officer salaries in Moreno Valley grew -12.2% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 8.5% growth in San Francisco over the same period.

Moreno Valley, CA

+-12.2%

$123,281 (2024) → $108,265 (2025)

San Francisco, CA

+8.5%

$121,650 (2019) → $132,000 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays police officers more: Moreno Valley or San Francisco?

San Francisco has a higher median police officer salary at $136,039/year, compared to Moreno Valley at $111,578/year — a difference of $24,461 (21.92%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Moreno Valley and San Francisco?

Moreno Valley police officers earn $53.64/hr while San Francisco hygienists earn $65.40/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Moreno Valley to San Francisco as a police officer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Moreno Valley and San Francisco. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Moreno Valley = $98,654, San Francisco = $117,668), job availability (53 vs 7,990 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level police officers earn in Moreno Valley vs San Francisco?

Entry-level (10th percentile) police officers earn $67,464 in Moreno Valley and $98,309 in San Francisco. The San Francisco 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