Machine Learning Engineer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Machine Learning Engineer Salary: Indianapolis, IN vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Machine Learning Engineers in Indianapolis, IN and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$105,000 vs $170,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Indianapolis, IN
$116,667 vs $91,398
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Indianapolis, IN
$104,404 vs $76,598
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $105,000 | $170,000▲ | -$65,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $80,850 | $130,900▲ | -$50,050 |
| 75th Percentile | $134,400 | $217,600▲ | -$83,200 |
| 90th Percentile | $168,000 | $272,000▲ | -$104,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 90 | 186 | -96 |
| State Income Tax | 3.15%▲ | 9.3% | -6.15% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $116,667▲ | $91,398 | +$25,269 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $93,964 | $142,472▲ | -$48,508 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $104,404▲ | $76,598 | +$27,806 |
| Total Employment | 12,000 | 41,600 | -29,600 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Indianapolis, IN minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $65,000 more (median: $105,000 vs $170,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 90 vs 186), Indianapolis, IN provides better purchasing power ($116,667 vs $91,398 equivalent). Indianapolis, IN has the lower state tax rate (3.15% vs 9.3%).
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.