Data Scientist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Data Scientist Salary: Columbus, OH vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Data Scientists in Columbus, OH and New York, NY, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$105,000 vs $158,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Columbus, OH
$115,385 vs $84,492
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Columbus, OH
$102,362 vs $72,723
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Columbus, OH | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $105,000 | $158,000▲ | -$53,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $80,000 | $120,000▲ | -$40,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $136,000 | $205,000▲ | -$69,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $170,000 | $258,000▲ | -$88,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 91 | 187 | -96 |
| State Income Tax | 3.99%▲ | 6.85% | -2.8599999999999994% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $115,385▲ | $84,492 | +$30,893 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $93,149 | $135,992▲ | -$42,843 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $102,362▲ | $72,723 | +$29,639 |
| Total Employment | 5,000 | 24,000 | -19,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Columbus, OH minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $53,000 more (median: $105,000 vs $158,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 91 vs 187), Columbus, OH provides better purchasing power ($115,385 vs $84,492 equivalent). Columbus, OH has the lower state tax rate (3.99% vs 6.85%).
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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.