Data Scientist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Data Scientist Salary: Louisville, KY vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Data Scientists in Louisville, KY and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$93,000 vs $162,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Louisville, KY
$106,897 vs $100,000
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Louisville, KY
$94,822 vs $92,400
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $93,000 | $162,000▲ | -$69,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $70,000 | $123,000▲ | -$53,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $121,000 | $210,000▲ | -$89,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $151,000 | $262,000▲ | -$111,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 87 | 162 | -75 |
| State Income Tax | 4% | 0%▲ | +4% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $106,897▲ | $100,000 | +$6,897 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $82,495 | $149,688▲ | -$67,193 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $94,822▲ | $92,400 | +$2,422 |
| Total Employment | 3,000 | 16,000 | -13,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Louisville, KY minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $69,000 more (median: $93,000 vs $162,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 87 vs 162), Louisville, KY provides better purchasing power ($106,897 vs $100,000 equivalent). Seattle, WA 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.