Data Scientist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Data Scientist Salary: New York, NY vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Data Scientists in New York, NY and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$158,000 vs $132,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$84,492 vs $106,452
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$72,723 vs $98,361
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | New York, NY | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $158,000▲ | $132,000 | +$26,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $120,000▲ | $100,000 | +$20,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $205,000▲ | $172,000 | +$33,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $258,000▲ | $215,000 | +$43,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 187 | 124 | +63 |
| State Income Tax | 6.85% | 0%▲ | +6.85% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $84,492 | $106,452▲ | -$21,960 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $135,992▲ | $121,968 | +$14,024 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $72,723 | $98,361▲ | -$25,638 |
| Total Employment | 24,000 | 12,000 | +12,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = New York, NY minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $26,000 more (median: $158,000 vs $132,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 187 vs 124), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($84,492 vs $106,452 equivalent). Austin, TX 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.