Data Scientist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Data Scientist Salary: Oklahoma City, OK vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Data Scientists in Oklahoma City, OK and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$90,000 vs $165,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Oklahoma City, OK
$104,651 vs $88,710
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Oklahoma City, OK
$92,105 vs $74,345
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Oklahoma City, OK | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $90,000 | $165,000▲ | -$75,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $68,000 | $125,000▲ | -$57,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $117,000 | $215,000▲ | -$98,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $146,000 | $270,000▲ | -$124,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 86 | 186 | -100 |
| State Income Tax | 4.75%▲ | 9.3% | -4.550000000000001% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $104,651▲ | $88,710 | +$15,941 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $79,210 | $138,281▲ | -$59,071 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $92,105▲ | $74,345 | +$17,760 |
| Total Employment | 3,000 | 18,000 | -15,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Oklahoma City, OK minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $75,000 more (median: $90,000 vs $165,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 86 vs 186), Oklahoma City, OK provides better purchasing power ($104,651 vs $88,710 equivalent). Oklahoma City, OK has the lower state tax rate (4.75% vs 9.3%).
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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.