Data Scientist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Data Scientist Salary: El Paso, TX vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Data Scientists in El Paso, TX and New York, NY, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$82,000 vs $158,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ El Paso, TX
$96,471 vs $84,492
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ El Paso, TX
$89,139 vs $72,723
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | El Paso, TX | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $82,000 | $158,000▲ | -$76,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $62,000 | $120,000▲ | -$58,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $106,000 | $205,000▲ | -$99,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $133,000 | $258,000▲ | -$125,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 85 | 187 | -102 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 6.85% | -6.85% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $96,471▲ | $84,492 | +$11,979 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $75,768 | $135,992▲ | -$60,224 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $89,139▲ | $72,723 | +$16,416 |
| Total Employment | 2,000 | 24,000 | -22,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = El Paso, TX minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $76,000 more (median: $82,000 vs $158,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 85 vs 187), El Paso, TX provides better purchasing power ($96,471 vs $84,492 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.