Data Scientist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Data Scientist Salary: Atlanta, GA vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Data Scientists in Atlanta, GA and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$118,000 vs $165,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Atlanta, GA
$109,259 vs $88,710
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Atlanta, GA
$95,413 vs $74,345
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $118,000 | $165,000▲ | -$47,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $90,000 | $125,000▲ | -$35,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $153,000 | $215,000▲ | -$62,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $191,000 | $270,000▲ | -$79,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 108 | 186 | -78 |
| State Income Tax | 5.49%▲ | 9.3% | -3.8100000000000005% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $109,259▲ | $88,710 | +$20,549 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $103,046 | $138,281▲ | -$35,235 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $95,413▲ | $74,345 | +$21,068 |
| Total Employment | 9,000 | 18,000 | -9,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Atlanta, GA minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $47,000 more (median: $118,000 vs $165,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 108 vs 186), Atlanta, GA provides better purchasing power ($109,259 vs $88,710 equivalent). Atlanta, GA has the lower state tax rate (5.49% vs 9.3%).
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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.