Data Scientist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Data Scientist Salary: Detroit, MI vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Data Scientists in Detroit, MI and New York, NY, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$100,000 vs $158,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Detroit, MI
$112,360 vs $84,492
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Detroit, MI
$99,408 vs $72,723
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Detroit, MI | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $100,000 | $158,000▲ | -$58,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $76,000 | $120,000▲ | -$44,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $130,000 | $205,000▲ | -$75,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $163,000 | $258,000▲ | -$95,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 89 | 187 | -98 |
| State Income Tax | 4.25%▲ | 6.85% | -2.5999999999999996% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $112,360▲ | $84,492 | +$27,868 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $88,473 | $135,992▲ | -$47,519 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $99,408▲ | $72,723 | +$26,685 |
| Total Employment | 4,000 | 24,000 | -20,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Detroit, MI minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $58,000 more (median: $100,000 vs $158,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 89 vs 187), Detroit, MI provides better purchasing power ($112,360 vs $84,492 equivalent). Detroit, MI has the lower state tax rate (4.25% vs 6.85%).
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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.