Data Scientist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Data Scientist Salary: Denver, CO vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Data Scientists in Denver, CO and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Austin, TX
$128,000 vs $132,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$100,000 vs $106,452
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$88,334 vs $98,361
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Denver, CO | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $128,000 | $132,000▲ | -$4,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $97,000 | $100,000▲ | -$3,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $166,000 | $172,000▲ | -$6,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $208,000 | $215,000▲ | -$7,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 128 | 124 | +4 |
| State Income Tax | 4.4% | 0%▲ | +4.4% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $100,000 | $106,452▲ | -$6,452 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $113,068 | $121,968▲ | -$8,900 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $88,334 | $98,361▲ | -$10,027 |
| Total Employment | 9,000 | 12,000 | -3,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Denver, CO minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $4,000 more (median: $128,000 vs $132,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 128 vs 124), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($100,000 vs $106,452 equivalent). Austin, 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.