Data Scientist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Data Scientist Salary: Oklahoma City, OK vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Data Scientists in Oklahoma City, OK and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$90,000 vs $148,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Oklahoma City, OK
$104,651 vs $91,358
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Oklahoma City, OK
$92,105 vs $80,194
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $90,000 | $148,000▲ | -$58,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $68,000 | $112,000▲ | -$44,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $117,000 | $192,000▲ | -$75,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $146,000 | $240,000▲ | -$94,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 86 | 162 | -76 |
| State Income Tax | 4.75%▲ | 5% | -0.25% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $104,651▲ | $91,358 | +$13,293 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $79,210 | $129,914▲ | -$50,704 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $92,105▲ | $80,194 | +$11,911 |
| Total Employment | 3,000 | 14,000 | -11,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Oklahoma City, OK minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $58,000 more (median: $90,000 vs $148,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 86 vs 162), Oklahoma City, OK provides better purchasing power ($104,651 vs $91,358 equivalent). Oklahoma City, OK has the lower state tax rate (4.75% vs 5%).
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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.