Data Scientist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Data Scientist Salary: Denver, CO vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Data Scientists in Denver, CO and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$128,000 vs $162,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Denver, CO
$100,000 vs $100,000
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Seattle, WA
$88,334 vs $92,400
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Denver, CO | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $128,000 | $162,000▲ | -$34,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $97,000 | $123,000▲ | -$26,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $166,000 | $210,000▲ | -$44,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $208,000 | $262,000▲ | -$54,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 128 | 162 | -34 |
| State Income Tax | 4.4% | 0%▲ | +4.4% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $100,000▲ | $100,000 | — |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $113,068 | $149,688▲ | -$36,620 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $88,334 | $92,400▲ | -$4,066 |
| Total Employment | 9,000 | 16,000 | -7,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Denver, CO minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $34,000 more (median: $128,000 vs $162,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 128 vs 162), Denver, CO provides better purchasing power ($100,000 vs $100,000 equivalent). Seattle, WA 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.