Data Scientist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Data Scientist Salary: Louisville, KY vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Data Scientists in Louisville, KY and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Austin, TX
$93,000 vs $132,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Louisville, KY
$106,897 vs $106,452
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$94,822 vs $98,361
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $93,000 | $132,000▲ | -$39,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $70,000 | $100,000▲ | -$30,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $121,000 | $172,000▲ | -$51,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $151,000 | $215,000▲ | -$64,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 87 | 124 | -37 |
| State Income Tax | 4% | 0%▲ | +4% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $106,897▲ | $106,452 | +$445 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $82,495 | $121,968▲ | -$39,473 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $94,822 | $98,361▲ | -$3,539 |
| Total Employment | 3,000 | 12,000 | -9,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Louisville, KY minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $39,000 more (median: $93,000 vs $132,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 87 vs 124), Louisville, KY provides better purchasing power ($106,897 vs $106,452 equivalent). Austin, 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.