Data Scientist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Data Scientist Salary: Atlanta, GA vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Data Scientists in Atlanta, GA and New York, NY, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$118,000 vs $158,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Atlanta, GA
$109,259 vs $84,492
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Atlanta, GA
$95,413 vs $72,723
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $118,000 | $158,000▲ | -$40,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $90,000 | $120,000▲ | -$30,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $153,000 | $205,000▲ | -$52,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $191,000 | $258,000▲ | -$67,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 108 | 187 | -79 |
| State Income Tax | 5.49%▲ | 6.85% | -1.3599999999999994% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $109,259▲ | $84,492 | +$24,767 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $103,046 | $135,992▲ | -$32,946 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $95,413▲ | $72,723 | +$22,690 |
| Total Employment | 9,000 | 24,000 | -15,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Atlanta, GA minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $40,000 more (median: $118,000 vs $158,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 108 vs 187), Atlanta, GA provides better purchasing power ($109,259 vs $84,492 equivalent). Atlanta, GA has the lower state tax rate (5.49% vs 6.85%).
4More Data Scientist City Comparisons
Data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS · 2026 · Cost-of-living indices from composite metro area data. Take-home estimates approximate only — consult a tax professional for accurate figures.