Data Scientist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Data Scientist Salary: Memphis, TN vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Data Scientists in Memphis, TN and New York, NY, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$88,000 vs $158,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Memphis, TN
$106,024 vs $84,492
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Memphis, TN
$97,966 vs $72,723
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Memphis, TN | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $88,000 | $158,000▲ | -$70,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $66,000 | $120,000▲ | -$54,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $114,000 | $205,000▲ | -$91,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $143,000 | $258,000▲ | -$115,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 83 | 187 | -104 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 6.85% | -6.85% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $106,024▲ | $84,492 | +$21,532 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $81,312 | $135,992▲ | -$54,680 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $97,966▲ | $72,723 | +$25,243 |
| Total Employment | 2,000 | 24,000 | -22,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Memphis, TN minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $70,000 more (median: $88,000 vs $158,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 83 vs 187), Memphis, TN provides better purchasing power ($106,024 vs $84,492 equivalent). Memphis, TN 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.