Data Scientist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Data Scientist Salary: Indianapolis, IN vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Data Scientists in Indianapolis, IN and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$100,000 vs $165,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Indianapolis, IN
$111,111 vs $88,710
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Indianapolis, IN
$99,432 vs $74,345
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $100,000 | $165,000▲ | -$65,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $76,000 | $125,000▲ | -$49,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $130,000 | $215,000▲ | -$85,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $163,000 | $270,000▲ | -$107,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 90 | 186 | -96 |
| State Income Tax | 3.15%▲ | 9.3% | -6.15% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $111,111▲ | $88,710 | +$22,401 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $89,489 | $138,281▲ | -$48,792 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $99,432▲ | $74,345 | +$25,087 |
| Total Employment | 4,000 | 18,000 | -14,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Indianapolis, IN minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $65,000 more (median: $100,000 vs $165,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 90 vs 186), Indianapolis, IN provides better purchasing power ($111,111 vs $88,710 equivalent). Indianapolis, IN has the lower state tax rate (3.15% vs 9.3%).
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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.