Data Scientist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Data Scientist Salary: Portland, OR vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Data Scientists in Portland, OR and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$132,000 vs $165,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Portland, OR
$101,538 vs $88,710
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Portland, OR
$85,612 vs $74,345
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Portland, OR | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $132,000 | $165,000▲ | -$33,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $100,000 | $125,000▲ | -$25,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $172,000 | $215,000▲ | -$43,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $215,000 | $270,000▲ | -$55,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 130 | 186 | -56 |
| State Income Tax | 8.75%▲ | 9.3% | -0.5500000000000007% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $101,538▲ | $88,710 | +$12,828 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $111,296 | $138,281▲ | -$26,985 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $85,612▲ | $74,345 | +$11,267 |
| Total Employment | 6,000 | 18,000 | -12,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Portland, OR minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $33,000 more (median: $132,000 vs $165,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 130 vs 186), Portland, OR provides better purchasing power ($101,538 vs $88,710 equivalent). Portland, OR has the lower state tax rate (8.75% 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.