Data Scientist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Data Scientist Salary: San Francisco, CA vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Data Scientists in San Francisco, CA and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$165,000 vs $162,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Seattle, WA
$88,710 vs $100,000
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Seattle, WA
$74,345 vs $92,400
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | San Francisco, CA | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $165,000▲ | $162,000 | +$3,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $125,000▲ | $123,000 | +$2,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $215,000▲ | $210,000 | +$5,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $270,000▲ | $262,000 | +$8,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 186 | 162 | +24 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3% | 0%▲ | +9.3% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $88,710 | $100,000▲ | -$11,290 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $138,281 | $149,688▲ | -$11,407 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $74,345 | $92,400▲ | -$18,055 |
| Total Employment | 18,000 | 16,000 | +2,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = San Francisco, CA minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $3,000 more (median: $165,000 vs $162,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 186 vs 162), Seattle, WA provides better purchasing power ($88,710 vs $100,000 equivalent). Seattle, WA has no state income tax, which is a significant advantage.
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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.