Data Scientist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Data Scientist Salary: Louisville, KY vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Data Scientists in Louisville, KY and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$93,000 vs $165,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Louisville, KY
$106,897 vs $88,710
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Louisville, KY
$94,822 vs $74,345
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Louisville, KY | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $93,000 | $165,000▲ | -$72,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $70,000 | $125,000▲ | -$55,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $121,000 | $215,000▲ | -$94,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $151,000 | $270,000▲ | -$119,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 87 | 186 | -99 |
| State Income Tax | 4%▲ | 9.3% | -5.300000000000001% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $106,897▲ | $88,710 | +$18,187 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $82,495 | $138,281▲ | -$55,786 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $94,822▲ | $74,345 | +$20,477 |
| Total Employment | 3,000 | 18,000 | -15,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Louisville, KY minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $72,000 more (median: $93,000 vs $165,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 87 vs 186), Louisville, KY provides better purchasing power ($106,897 vs $88,710 equivalent). Louisville, KY has the lower state tax rate (4% 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.