Data Scientist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Data Scientist Salary: Miami, FL vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Data Scientists in Miami, FL and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$112,000 vs $165,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Miami, FL
$91,057 vs $88,710
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Miami, FL
$84,137 vs $74,345
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Miami, FL | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $112,000 | $165,000▲ | -$53,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $85,000 | $125,000▲ | -$40,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $146,000 | $215,000▲ | -$69,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $182,000 | $270,000▲ | -$88,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 123 | 186 | -63 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 9.3% | -9.3% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $91,057▲ | $88,710 | +$2,347 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $103,488 | $138,281▲ | -$34,793 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $84,137▲ | $74,345 | +$9,792 |
| Total Employment | 7,000 | 18,000 | -11,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Miami, FL minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $53,000 more (median: $112,000 vs $165,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 123 vs 186), Miami, FL provides better purchasing power ($91,057 vs $88,710 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.