Data Scientist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Data Scientist Salary: Portland, OR vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Data Scientists in Portland, OR and New York, NY, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$132,000 vs $158,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Portland, OR
$101,538 vs $84,492
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Portland, OR
$85,612 vs $72,723
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Portland, OR | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $132,000 | $158,000▲ | -$26,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $100,000 | $120,000▲ | -$20,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $172,000 | $205,000▲ | -$33,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $215,000 | $258,000▲ | -$43,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 130 | 187 | -57 |
| State Income Tax | 8.75% | 6.85%▲ | +1.9000000000000004% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $101,538▲ | $84,492 | +$17,046 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $111,296 | $135,992▲ | -$24,696 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $85,612▲ | $72,723 | +$12,889 |
| Total Employment | 6,000 | 24,000 | -18,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Portland, OR minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $26,000 more (median: $132,000 vs $158,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 130 vs 187), Portland, OR provides better purchasing power ($101,538 vs $84,492 equivalent). New York, NY has the lower state tax rate (6.85% 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.