Data Scientist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Data Scientist Salary: Boston, MA vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Data Scientists in Boston, MA and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$148,000 vs $132,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$91,358 vs $106,452
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$80,194 vs $98,361
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Boston, MA | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $148,000▲ | $132,000 | +$16,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $112,000▲ | $100,000 | +$12,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $192,000▲ | $172,000 | +$20,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $240,000▲ | $215,000 | +$25,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 162 | 124 | +38 |
| State Income Tax | 5% | 0%▲ | +5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $91,358 | $106,452▲ | -$15,094 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $129,914▲ | $121,968 | +$7,946 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $80,194 | $98,361▲ | -$18,167 |
| Total Employment | 14,000 | 12,000 | +2,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Boston, MA minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $16,000 more (median: $148,000 vs $132,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 162 vs 124), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($91,358 vs $106,452 equivalent). Austin, TX has no state income tax, which is a significant advantage.
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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.