Data Scientist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Data Scientist Salary: Dallas, TX vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Data Scientists in Dallas, TX and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$125,000 vs $148,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Dallas, TX
$111,607 vs $91,358
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Dallas, TX
$103,125 vs $80,194
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $125,000 | $148,000▲ | -$23,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $95,000 | $112,000▲ | -$17,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $162,000 | $192,000▲ | -$30,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $202,000 | $240,000▲ | -$38,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 112 | 162 | -50 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 5% | -5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $111,607▲ | $91,358 | +$20,249 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $115,500 | $129,914▲ | -$14,414 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $103,125▲ | $80,194 | +$22,931 |
| Total Employment | 11,000 | 14,000 | -3,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Dallas, TX minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $23,000 more (median: $125,000 vs $148,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 112 vs 162), Dallas, TX provides better purchasing power ($111,607 vs $91,358 equivalent). Dallas, 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.