Data Scientist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Data Scientist Salary: El Paso, TX vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Data Scientists in El Paso, TX and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$82,000 vs $162,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Seattle, WA
$96,471 vs $100,000
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Seattle, WA
$89,139 vs $92,400
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $82,000 | $162,000▲ | -$80,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $62,000 | $123,000▲ | -$61,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $106,000 | $210,000▲ | -$104,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $133,000 | $262,000▲ | -$129,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 85 | 162 | -77 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 0% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $96,471 | $100,000▲ | -$3,529 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $75,768 | $149,688▲ | -$73,920 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $89,139 | $92,400▲ | -$3,261 |
| Total Employment | 2,000 | 16,000 | -14,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = El Paso, TX minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $80,000 more (median: $82,000 vs $162,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 85 vs 162), Seattle, WA provides better purchasing power ($96,471 vs $100,000 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.