Data Scientist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Data Scientist Salary: El Paso, TX vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Data Scientists in El Paso, TX and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$82,000 vs $165,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ El Paso, TX
$96,471 vs $88,710
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ El Paso, TX
$89,139 vs $74,345
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | El Paso, TX | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $82,000 | $165,000▲ | -$83,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $62,000 | $125,000▲ | -$63,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $106,000 | $215,000▲ | -$109,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $133,000 | $270,000▲ | -$137,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 85 | 186 | -101 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 9.3% | -9.3% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $96,471▲ | $88,710 | +$7,761 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $75,768 | $138,281▲ | -$62,513 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $89,139▲ | $74,345 | +$14,794 |
| Total Employment | 2,000 | 18,000 | -16,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = El Paso, TX minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $83,000 more (median: $82,000 vs $165,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 85 vs 186), El Paso, TX provides better purchasing power ($96,471 vs $88,710 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.