Data Scientist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Data Scientist Salary: El Paso, TX vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Data Scientists in El Paso, TX and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Austin, TX
$82,000 vs $132,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$96,471 vs $106,452
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$89,139 vs $98,361
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $82,000 | $132,000▲ | -$50,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $62,000 | $100,000▲ | -$38,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $106,000 | $172,000▲ | -$66,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $133,000 | $215,000▲ | -$82,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 85 | 124 | -39 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 0% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $96,471 | $106,452▲ | -$9,981 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $75,768 | $121,968▲ | -$46,200 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $89,139 | $98,361▲ | -$9,222 |
| Total Employment | 2,000 | 12,000 | -10,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = El Paso, TX minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $50,000 more (median: $82,000 vs $132,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 85 vs 124), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($96,471 vs $106,452 equivalent). El Paso, 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.