Data Scientist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Data Scientist Salary: Columbus, OH vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Data Scientists in Columbus, OH and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$105,000 vs $165,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Columbus, OH
$115,385 vs $88,710
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Columbus, OH
$102,362 vs $74,345
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Columbus, OH | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $105,000 | $165,000▲ | -$60,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $80,000 | $125,000▲ | -$45,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $136,000 | $215,000▲ | -$79,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $170,000 | $270,000▲ | -$100,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 91 | 186 | -95 |
| State Income Tax | 3.99%▲ | 9.3% | -5.3100000000000005% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $115,385▲ | $88,710 | +$26,675 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $93,149 | $138,281▲ | -$45,132 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $102,362▲ | $74,345 | +$28,017 |
| Total Employment | 5,000 | 18,000 | -13,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Columbus, OH minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $60,000 more (median: $105,000 vs $165,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 91 vs 186), Columbus, OH provides better purchasing power ($115,385 vs $88,710 equivalent). Columbus, OH has the lower state tax rate (3.99% 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.