Data Scientist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Data Scientist Salary: Louisville, KY vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Data Scientists in Louisville, KY and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$93,000 vs $148,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Louisville, KY
$106,897 vs $91,358
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Louisville, KY
$94,822 vs $80,194
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $93,000 | $148,000▲ | -$55,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $70,000 | $112,000▲ | -$42,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $121,000 | $192,000▲ | -$71,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $151,000 | $240,000▲ | -$89,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 87 | 162 | -75 |
| State Income Tax | 4%▲ | 5% | -1% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $106,897▲ | $91,358 | +$15,539 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $82,495 | $129,914▲ | -$47,419 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $94,822▲ | $80,194 | +$14,628 |
| Total Employment | 3,000 | 14,000 | -11,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Louisville, KY minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $55,000 more (median: $93,000 vs $148,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 87 vs 162), Louisville, KY provides better purchasing power ($106,897 vs $91,358 equivalent). Louisville, KY has the lower state tax rate (4% vs 5%).
4More Data Scientist City Comparisons
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.