Data Scientist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Data Scientist Salary: Dallas, TX vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Data Scientists in Dallas, TX and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$125,000 vs $165,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Dallas, TX
$111,607 vs $88,710
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Dallas, TX
$103,125 vs $74,345
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Dallas, TX | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $125,000 | $165,000▲ | -$40,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $95,000 | $125,000▲ | -$30,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $162,000 | $215,000▲ | -$53,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $202,000 | $270,000▲ | -$68,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 112 | 186 | -74 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 9.3% | -9.3% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $111,607▲ | $88,710 | +$22,897 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $115,500 | $138,281▲ | -$22,781 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $103,125▲ | $74,345 | +$28,780 |
| Total Employment | 11,000 | 18,000 | -7,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Dallas, TX minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $40,000 more (median: $125,000 vs $165,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 112 vs 186), Dallas, TX provides better purchasing power ($111,607 vs $88,710 equivalent). Dallas, 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.