Data Scientist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Data Scientist Salary: Dallas, TX vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Data Scientists in Dallas, TX and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$125,000 vs $162,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Dallas, TX
$111,607 vs $100,000
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Dallas, TX
$103,125 vs $92,400
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $125,000 | $162,000▲ | -$37,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $95,000 | $123,000▲ | -$28,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $162,000 | $210,000▲ | -$48,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $202,000 | $262,000▲ | -$60,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 112 | 162 | -50 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 0% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $111,607▲ | $100,000 | +$11,607 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $115,500 | $149,688▲ | -$34,188 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $103,125▲ | $92,400 | +$10,725 |
| Total Employment | 11,000 | 16,000 | -5,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Dallas, TX minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $37,000 more (median: $125,000 vs $162,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 112 vs 162), Dallas, TX provides better purchasing power ($111,607 vs $100,000 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.