Data Scientist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Data Scientist Salary: Miami, FL vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Data Scientists in Miami, FL and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$112,000 vs $162,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Seattle, WA
$91,057 vs $100,000
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Seattle, WA
$84,137 vs $92,400
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Miami, FL | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $112,000 | $162,000▲ | -$50,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $85,000 | $123,000▲ | -$38,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $146,000 | $210,000▲ | -$64,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $182,000 | $262,000▲ | -$80,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 123 | 162 | -39 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 0% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $91,057 | $100,000▲ | -$8,943 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $103,488 | $149,688▲ | -$46,200 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $84,137 | $92,400▲ | -$8,263 |
| Total Employment | 7,000 | 16,000 | -9,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Miami, FL minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $50,000 more (median: $112,000 vs $162,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 123 vs 162), Seattle, WA provides better purchasing power ($91,057 vs $100,000 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.