Data Scientist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Data Scientist Salary: Seattle, WA vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Data Scientists in Seattle, WA and New York, NY, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$162,000 vs $158,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Seattle, WA
$100,000 vs $84,492
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Seattle, WA
$92,400 vs $72,723
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Seattle, WA | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $162,000▲ | $158,000 | +$4,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $123,000▲ | $120,000 | +$3,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $210,000▲ | $205,000 | +$5,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $262,000▲ | $258,000 | +$4,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 162 | 187 | -25 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 6.85% | -6.85% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $100,000▲ | $84,492 | +$15,508 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $149,688▲ | $135,992 | +$13,696 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $92,400▲ | $72,723 | +$19,677 |
| Total Employment | 16,000 | 24,000 | -8,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Seattle, WA minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $4,000 more (median: $162,000 vs $158,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 162 vs 187), Seattle, WA provides better purchasing power ($100,000 vs $84,492 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.