Data Scientist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Data Scientist Salary: Seattle, WA vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Data Scientists in Seattle, WA and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$162,000 vs $148,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Seattle, WA
$100,000 vs $91,358
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Seattle, WA
$92,400 vs $80,194
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Seattle, WA | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $162,000▲ | $148,000 | +$14,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $123,000▲ | $112,000 | +$11,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $210,000▲ | $192,000 | +$18,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $262,000▲ | $240,000 | +$22,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 162 | 162 | — |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 5% | -5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $100,000▲ | $91,358 | +$8,642 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $149,688▲ | $129,914 | +$19,774 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $92,400▲ | $80,194 | +$12,206 |
| Total Employment | 16,000 | 14,000 | +2,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Seattle, WA minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $14,000 more (median: $162,000 vs $148,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 162 vs 162), Seattle, WA provides better purchasing power ($100,000 vs $91,358 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.