Data Scientist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Data Scientist Salary: Los Angeles, CA vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Data Scientists in Los Angeles, CA and New York, NY, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$142,000 vs $158,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ New York, NY
$82,081 vs $84,492
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ New York, NY
$68,790 vs $72,723
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $142,000 | $158,000▲ | -$16,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $108,000 | $120,000▲ | -$12,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $185,000 | $205,000▲ | -$20,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $230,000 | $258,000▲ | -$28,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 173 | 187 | -14 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3% | 6.85%▲ | +2.450000000000001% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $82,081 | $84,492▲ | -$2,411 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $119,006 | $135,992▲ | -$16,986 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $68,790 | $72,723▲ | -$3,933 |
| Total Employment | 16,000 | 24,000 | -8,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Los Angeles, CA minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $16,000 more (median: $142,000 vs $158,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 173 vs 187), New York, NY provides better purchasing power ($82,081 vs $84,492 equivalent). New York, NY has the lower state tax rate (6.85% 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.