Data Scientist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Data Scientist Salary: Portland, OR vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Data Scientists in Portland, OR and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$132,000 vs $148,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Portland, OR
$101,538 vs $91,358
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Portland, OR
$85,612 vs $80,194
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Portland, OR | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $132,000 | $148,000▲ | -$16,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $100,000 | $112,000▲ | -$12,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $172,000 | $192,000▲ | -$20,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $215,000 | $240,000▲ | -$25,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 130 | 162 | -32 |
| State Income Tax | 8.75% | 5%▲ | +3.75% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $101,538▲ | $91,358 | +$10,180 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $111,296 | $129,914▲ | -$18,618 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $85,612▲ | $80,194 | +$5,418 |
| Total Employment | 6,000 | 14,000 | -8,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Portland, OR minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $16,000 more (median: $132,000 vs $148,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 130 vs 162), Portland, OR provides better purchasing power ($101,538 vs $91,358 equivalent). Boston, MA has the lower state tax rate (5% vs 8.75%).
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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.