Data Scientist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Data Scientist Salary: Austin, TX vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Data Scientists in Austin, TX and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$132,000 vs $165,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$106,452 vs $88,710
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$98,361 vs $74,345
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Austin, TX | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $132,000 | $165,000▲ | -$33,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $100,000 | $125,000▲ | -$25,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $172,000 | $215,000▲ | -$43,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $215,000 | $270,000▲ | -$55,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 124 | 186 | -62 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 9.3% | -9.3% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $106,452▲ | $88,710 | +$17,742 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $121,968 | $138,281▲ | -$16,313 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $98,361▲ | $74,345 | +$24,016 |
| Total Employment | 12,000 | 18,000 | -6,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Austin, TX minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $33,000 more (median: $132,000 vs $165,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 124 vs 186), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($106,452 vs $88,710 equivalent). Austin, TX has no state income tax, which is a significant advantage.
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.