Data Scientist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Data Scientist Salary: Detroit, MI vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Data Scientists in Detroit, MI and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$100,000 vs $165,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Detroit, MI
$112,360 vs $88,710
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Detroit, MI
$99,408 vs $74,345
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Detroit, MI | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $100,000 | $165,000▲ | -$65,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $76,000 | $125,000▲ | -$49,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $130,000 | $215,000▲ | -$85,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $163,000 | $270,000▲ | -$107,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 89 | 186 | -97 |
| State Income Tax | 4.25%▲ | 9.3% | -5.050000000000001% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $112,360▲ | $88,710 | +$23,650 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $88,473 | $138,281▲ | -$49,808 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $99,408▲ | $74,345 | +$25,063 |
| Total Employment | 4,000 | 18,000 | -14,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Detroit, MI minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $65,000 more (median: $100,000 vs $165,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 89 vs 186), Detroit, MI provides better purchasing power ($112,360 vs $88,710 equivalent). Detroit, MI has the lower state tax rate (4.25% vs 9.3%).
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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.