Data Scientist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Data Scientist Salary: Indianapolis, IN vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Data Scientists in Indianapolis, IN and New York, NY, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$100,000 vs $158,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Indianapolis, IN
$111,111 vs $84,492
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Indianapolis, IN
$99,432 vs $72,723
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $100,000 | $158,000▲ | -$58,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $76,000 | $120,000▲ | -$44,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $130,000 | $205,000▲ | -$75,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $163,000 | $258,000▲ | -$95,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 90 | 187 | -97 |
| State Income Tax | 3.15%▲ | 6.85% | -3.6999999999999997% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $111,111▲ | $84,492 | +$26,619 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $89,489 | $135,992▲ | -$46,503 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $99,432▲ | $72,723 | +$26,709 |
| Total Employment | 4,000 | 24,000 | -20,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Indianapolis, IN minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $58,000 more (median: $100,000 vs $158,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 90 vs 187), Indianapolis, IN provides better purchasing power ($111,111 vs $84,492 equivalent). Indianapolis, IN has the lower state tax rate (3.15% vs 6.85%).
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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.