Data Scientist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Data Scientist Salary: Salt Lake City, UT vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Data Scientists in Salt Lake City, UT and New York, NY, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$112,000 vs $158,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Salt Lake City, UT
$100,000 vs $84,492
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Salt Lake City, UT
$88,104 vs $72,723
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Salt Lake City, UT | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $112,000 | $158,000▲ | -$46,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $85,000 | $120,000▲ | -$35,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $146,000 | $205,000▲ | -$59,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $182,000 | $258,000▲ | -$76,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 112 | 187 | -75 |
| State Income Tax | 4.65%▲ | 6.85% | -2.1999999999999993% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $100,000▲ | $84,492 | +$15,508 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $98,676 | $135,992▲ | -$37,316 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $88,104▲ | $72,723 | +$15,381 |
| Total Employment | 5,000 | 24,000 | -19,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Salt Lake City, UT minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $46,000 more (median: $112,000 vs $158,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 112 vs 187), Salt Lake City, UT provides better purchasing power ($100,000 vs $84,492 equivalent). Salt Lake City, UT has the lower state tax rate (4.65% vs 6.85%).
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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.