Data Scientist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Data Scientist Salary: Seattle, WA vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Data Scientists in Seattle, WA and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$162,000 vs $132,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$100,000 vs $106,452
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$92,400 vs $98,361
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Seattle, WA | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $162,000▲ | $132,000 | +$30,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $123,000▲ | $100,000 | +$23,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $210,000▲ | $172,000 | +$38,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $262,000▲ | $215,000 | +$47,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 162 | 124 | +38 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 0% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $100,000 | $106,452▲ | -$6,452 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $149,688▲ | $121,968 | +$27,720 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $92,400 | $98,361▲ | -$5,961 |
| Total Employment | 16,000 | 12,000 | +4,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Seattle, WA minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $30,000 more (median: $162,000 vs $132,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 162 vs 124), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($100,000 vs $106,452 equivalent). Seattle, WA has no state income tax, which is a significant advantage.
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.