Data Scientist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Data Scientist Salary: Miami, FL vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Data Scientists in Miami, FL and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$112,000 vs $148,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Boston, MA
$91,057 vs $91,358
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Miami, FL
$84,137 vs $80,194
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Miami, FL | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $112,000 | $148,000▲ | -$36,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $85,000 | $112,000▲ | -$27,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $146,000 | $192,000▲ | -$46,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $182,000 | $240,000▲ | -$58,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 123 | 162 | -39 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 5% | -5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $91,057 | $91,358▲ | -$301 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $103,488 | $129,914▲ | -$26,426 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $84,137▲ | $80,194 | +$3,943 |
| Total Employment | 7,000 | 14,000 | -7,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Miami, FL minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $36,000 more (median: $112,000 vs $148,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 123 vs 162), Boston, MA provides better purchasing power ($91,057 vs $91,358 equivalent). Miami, FL 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.