Data Scientist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Data Scientist Salary: Seattle, WA vs Denver, CO
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Data Scientists in Seattle, WA and Denver, CO, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$162,000 vs $128,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Seattle, WA
$100,000 vs $100,000
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Seattle, WA
$92,400 vs $88,334
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Seattle, WA | Denver, CO | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $162,000▲ | $128,000 | +$34,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $123,000▲ | $97,000 | +$26,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $210,000▲ | $166,000 | +$44,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $262,000▲ | $208,000 | +$54,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 162 | 128 | +34 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 4.4% | -4.4% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $100,000▲ | $100,000 | — |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $149,688▲ | $113,068 | +$36,620 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $92,400▲ | $88,334 | +$4,066 |
| Total Employment | 16,000 | 9,000 | +7,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Seattle, WA minus Denver, CO.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $34,000 more (median: $162,000 vs $128,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 162 vs 128), Seattle, WA provides better purchasing power ($100,000 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.