Data Scientist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Data Scientist Salary: Oklahoma City, OK vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Data Scientists in Oklahoma City, OK and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Austin, TX
$90,000 vs $132,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$104,651 vs $106,452
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$92,105 vs $98,361
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $90,000 | $132,000▲ | -$42,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $68,000 | $100,000▲ | -$32,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $117,000 | $172,000▲ | -$55,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $146,000 | $215,000▲ | -$69,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 86 | 124 | -38 |
| State Income Tax | 4.75% | 0%▲ | +4.75% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $104,651 | $106,452▲ | -$1,801 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $79,210 | $121,968▲ | -$42,758 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $92,105 | $98,361▲ | -$6,256 |
| Total Employment | 3,000 | 12,000 | -9,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Oklahoma City, OK minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $42,000 more (median: $90,000 vs $132,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 86 vs 124), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($104,651 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.