Data Scientist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Data Scientist Salary: Austin, TX vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Data Scientists in Austin, TX and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$132,000 vs $162,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$106,452 vs $100,000
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$98,361 vs $92,400
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Austin, TX | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $132,000 | $162,000▲ | -$30,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $100,000 | $123,000▲ | -$23,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $172,000 | $210,000▲ | -$38,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $215,000 | $262,000▲ | -$47,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 124 | 162 | -38 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 0% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $106,452▲ | $100,000 | +$6,452 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $121,968 | $149,688▲ | -$27,720 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $98,361▲ | $92,400 | +$5,961 |
| Total Employment | 12,000 | 16,000 | -4,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Austin, TX minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $30,000 more (median: $132,000 vs $162,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 124 vs 162), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($106,452 vs $100,000 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.