Data Scientist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Data Scientist Salary: Nashville, TN vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Data Scientists in Nashville, TN and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$110,000 vs $162,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Nashville, TN
$100,000 vs $100,000
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Nashville, TN
$92,400 vs $92,400
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Nashville, TN | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $110,000 | $162,000▲ | -$52,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $83,000 | $123,000▲ | -$40,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $143,000 | $210,000▲ | -$67,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $179,000 | $262,000▲ | -$83,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 110 | 162 | -52 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 0% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $100,000▲ | $100,000 | — |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $101,640 | $149,688▲ | -$48,048 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $92,400▲ | $92,400 | — |
| Total Employment | 5,000 | 16,000 | -11,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Nashville, TN minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $52,000 more (median: $110,000 vs $162,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 110 vs 162), Nashville, TN provides better purchasing power ($100,000 vs $100,000 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.