Data Scientist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Data Scientist Salary: Los Angeles, CA vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Data Scientists in Los Angeles, CA and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$142,000 vs $165,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ San Francisco, CA
$82,081 vs $88,710
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ San Francisco, CA
$68,790 vs $74,345
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $142,000 | $165,000▲ | -$23,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $108,000 | $125,000▲ | -$17,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $185,000 | $215,000▲ | -$30,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $230,000 | $270,000▲ | -$40,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 173 | 186 | -13 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3%▲ | 9.3% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $82,081 | $88,710▲ | -$6,629 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $119,006 | $138,281▲ | -$19,275 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $68,790 | $74,345▲ | -$5,555 |
| Total Employment | 16,000 | 18,000 | -2,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Los Angeles, CA minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $23,000 more (median: $142,000 vs $165,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 173 vs 186), San Francisco, CA provides better purchasing power ($82,081 vs $88,710 equivalent). San Francisco, CA has the lower state tax rate (9.3% 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.