Data Scientist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Data Scientist Salary: San Francisco, CA vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Data Scientists in San Francisco, CA and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$165,000 vs $148,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Boston, MA
$88,710 vs $91,358
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Boston, MA
$74,345 vs $80,194
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | San Francisco, CA | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $165,000▲ | $148,000 | +$17,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $125,000▲ | $112,000 | +$13,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $215,000▲ | $192,000 | +$23,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $270,000▲ | $240,000 | +$30,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 186 | 162 | +24 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3% | 5%▲ | +4.300000000000001% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $88,710 | $91,358▲ | -$2,648 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $138,281▲ | $129,914 | +$8,367 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $74,345 | $80,194▲ | -$5,849 |
| Total Employment | 18,000 | 14,000 | +4,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = San Francisco, CA minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $17,000 more (median: $165,000 vs $148,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 186 vs 162), Boston, MA provides better purchasing power ($88,710 vs $91,358 equivalent). Boston, MA has the lower state tax rate (5% 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.