Cost of living? Meaning housing costs, utility costs, property taxes, sales taxes, usage taxes, school taxes, commuting times/costs, and the list goes on and on. Some of those cities I wouldn't want to live in if it was the only law enforcement job left in the country. I just do not want ot live there. The salary for LMPD is in line with a working class salaries. And if you talked to officers from the ones you listed they will tell you the same. It is not an upper middle class profession, never