Data Scientist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Data Scientist Salary: El Paso, TX vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Data Scientists in El Paso, TX and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$82,000 vs $148,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ El Paso, TX
$96,471 vs $91,358
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ El Paso, TX
$89,139 vs $80,194
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $82,000 | $148,000▲ | -$66,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $62,000 | $112,000▲ | -$50,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $106,000 | $192,000▲ | -$86,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $133,000 | $240,000▲ | -$107,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 85 | 162 | -77 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 5% | -5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $96,471▲ | $91,358 | +$5,113 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $75,768 | $129,914▲ | -$54,146 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $89,139▲ | $80,194 | +$8,945 |
| Total Employment | 2,000 | 14,000 | -12,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = El Paso, TX minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $66,000 more (median: $82,000 vs $148,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 85 vs 162), El Paso, TX provides better purchasing power ($96,471 vs $91,358 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.