Data Scientist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Data Scientist Salary: Phoenix, AZ vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Data Scientists in Phoenix, AZ and New York, NY, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$115,000 vs $158,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Phoenix, AZ
$111,650 vs $84,492
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Phoenix, AZ
$100,586 vs $72,723
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $115,000 | $158,000▲ | -$43,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $87,000 | $120,000▲ | -$33,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $149,000 | $205,000▲ | -$56,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $186,000 | $258,000▲ | -$72,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 103 | 187 | -84 |
| State Income Tax | 2.5%▲ | 6.85% | -4.35% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $111,650▲ | $84,492 | +$27,158 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $103,604 | $135,992▲ | -$32,388 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $100,586▲ | $72,723 | +$27,863 |
| Total Employment | 8,000 | 24,000 | -16,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Phoenix, AZ minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $43,000 more (median: $115,000 vs $158,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 103 vs 187), Phoenix, AZ provides better purchasing power ($111,650 vs $84,492 equivalent). Phoenix, AZ has the lower state tax rate (2.5% vs 6.85%).
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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.