Data Scientist · Salary Comparison · 2026
Data Scientist Salary: Washington, DC vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Data Scientists in Washington, DC and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$145,000 vs $148,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Washington, DC
$95,395 vs $91,358
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Washington, DC
$82,415 vs $80,194
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Washington, DC | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $145,000 | $148,000▲ | -$3,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $110,000 | $112,000▲ | -$2,000 |
| 75th Percentile | $188,000 | $192,000▲ | -$4,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $235,000 | $240,000▲ | -$5,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 152 | 162 | -10 |
| State Income Tax | 6.5% | 5%▲ | +1.5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $95,395▲ | $91,358 | +$4,037 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $125,271 | $129,914▲ | -$4,643 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $82,415▲ | $80,194 | +$2,221 |
| Total Employment | 15,000 | 14,000 | +1,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Washington, DC minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $3,000 more (median: $145,000 vs $148,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 152 vs 162), Washington, DC provides better purchasing power ($95,395 vs $91,358 equivalent). Boston, MA has the lower state tax rate (5% vs 6.5%).
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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.