Data Scientist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Data Scientist Salary: Salt Lake City, UT vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Data Scientists in Salt Lake City, UT and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$112,000 vs $148,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Salt Lake City, UT
$100,000 vs $91,358
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Salt Lake City, UT
$88,104 vs $80,194
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Salt Lake City, UT | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $112,000 | $148,000▲ | -$36,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $85,000 | $112,000▲ | -$27,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $146,000 | $192,000▲ | -$46,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $182,000 | $240,000▲ | -$58,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 112 | 162 | -50 |
| State Income Tax | 4.65%▲ | 5% | -0.34999999999999964% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $100,000▲ | $91,358 | +$8,642 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $98,676 | $129,914▲ | -$31,238 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $88,104▲ | $80,194 | +$7,910 |
| Total Employment | 5,000 | 14,000 | -9,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Salt Lake City, UT minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $36,000 more (median: $112,000 vs $148,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 112 vs 162), Salt Lake City, UT provides better purchasing power ($100,000 vs $91,358 equivalent). Salt Lake City, UT has the lower state tax rate (4.65% vs 5%).
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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.