Data Scientist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Data Scientist Salary: Detroit, MI vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Data Scientists in Detroit, MI and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$100,000 vs $148,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Detroit, MI
$112,360 vs $91,358
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Detroit, MI
$99,408 vs $80,194
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $100,000 | $148,000▲ | -$48,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $76,000 | $112,000▲ | -$36,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $130,000 | $192,000▲ | -$62,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $163,000 | $240,000▲ | -$77,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 89 | 162 | -73 |
| State Income Tax | 4.25%▲ | 5% | -0.75% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $112,360▲ | $91,358 | +$21,002 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $88,473 | $129,914▲ | -$41,441 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $99,408▲ | $80,194 | +$19,214 |
| Total Employment | 4,000 | 14,000 | -10,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Detroit, MI minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $48,000 more (median: $100,000 vs $148,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 89 vs 162), Detroit, MI provides better purchasing power ($112,360 vs $91,358 equivalent). Detroit, MI has the lower state tax rate (4.25% vs 5%).
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.