Data Scientist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Data Scientist Salary: Portland, OR vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Data Scientists in Portland, OR and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Portland, OR
$132,000 vs $132,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$101,538 vs $106,452
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$85,612 vs $98,361
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Portland, OR | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $132,000▲ | $132,000 | — |
| 25th Percentile | $100,000▲ | $100,000 | — |
| 75th Percentile | $172,000▲ | $172,000 | — |
| 90th Percentile | $215,000▲ | $215,000 | — |
| Cost of Living Index | 130 | 124 | +6 |
| State Income Tax | 8.75% | 0%▲ | +8.75% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $101,538 | $106,452▲ | -$4,914 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $111,296 | $121,968▲ | -$10,672 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $85,612 | $98,361▲ | -$12,749 |
| Total Employment | 6,000 | 12,000 | -6,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Portland, OR minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Portland, OR pays $0 more (median: $132,000 vs $132,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 130 vs 124), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($101,538 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.