Data Scientist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Data Scientist Salary: San Diego, CA vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Data Scientists in San Diego, CA and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$138,000 vs $148,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Boston, MA
$90,789 vs $91,358
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Boston, MA
$76,088 vs $80,194
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $138,000 | $148,000▲ | -$10,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $105,000 | $112,000▲ | -$7,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $179,000 | $192,000▲ | -$13,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $224,000 | $240,000▲ | -$16,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 152 | 162 | -10 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3% | 5%▲ | +4.300000000000001% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $90,789 | $91,358▲ | -$569 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $115,653 | $129,914▲ | -$14,261 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $76,088 | $80,194▲ | -$4,106 |
| Total Employment | 8,000 | 14,000 | -6,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = San Diego, CA minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $10,000 more (median: $138,000 vs $148,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 152 vs 162), Boston, MA provides better purchasing power ($90,789 vs $91,358 equivalent). Boston, MA has the lower state tax rate (5% vs 9.3%).
4More Data Scientist City Comparisons
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.