Data Scientist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Data Scientist Salary: Nashville, TN vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Data Scientists in Nashville, TN and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Austin, TX
$110,000 vs $132,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$100,000 vs $106,452
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$92,400 vs $98,361
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Nashville, TN | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $110,000 | $132,000▲ | -$22,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $83,000 | $100,000▲ | -$17,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $143,000 | $172,000▲ | -$29,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $179,000 | $215,000▲ | -$36,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 110 | 124 | -14 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 0% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $100,000 | $106,452▲ | -$6,452 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $101,640 | $121,968▲ | -$20,328 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $92,400 | $98,361▲ | -$5,961 |
| Total Employment | 5,000 | 12,000 | -7,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Nashville, TN minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $22,000 more (median: $110,000 vs $132,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 110 vs 124), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($100,000 vs $106,452 equivalent). Nashville, 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.