Data Scientist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Data Scientist Salary: San Diego, CA vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Data Scientists in San Diego, CA and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$138,000 vs $165,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ San Diego, CA
$90,789 vs $88,710
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ San Diego, CA
$76,088 vs $74,345
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | San Diego, CA | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $138,000 | $165,000▲ | -$27,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $105,000 | $125,000▲ | -$20,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $179,000 | $215,000▲ | -$36,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $224,000 | $270,000▲ | -$46,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 152 | 186 | -34 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3%▲ | 9.3% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $90,789▲ | $88,710 | +$2,079 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $115,653 | $138,281▲ | -$22,628 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $76,088▲ | $74,345 | +$1,743 |
| Total Employment | 8,000 | 18,000 | -10,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = San Diego, CA minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $27,000 more (median: $138,000 vs $165,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 152 vs 186), San Diego, CA provides better purchasing power ($90,789 vs $88,710 equivalent). San Francisco, CA has the lower state tax rate (9.3% 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.