Machine Learning Engineer · Salary Comparison · 2026
Machine Learning Engineer Salary: Minneapolis, MN vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Machine Learning Engineers in Minneapolis, MN and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$122,000 vs $170,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Minneapolis, MN
$109,910 vs $91,398
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Minneapolis, MN
$94,650 vs $76,598
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $122,000 | $170,000▲ | -$48,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $93,940 | $130,900▲ | -$36,960 |
| 75th Percentile | $156,160 | $217,600▲ | -$61,440 |
| 90th Percentile | $195,200 | $272,000▲ | -$76,800 |
| Cost of Living Index | 111 | 186 | -75 |
| State Income Tax | 6.8%▲ | 9.3% | -2.500000000000001% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $109,910▲ | $91,398 | +$18,512 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $105,062 | $142,472▲ | -$37,410 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $94,650▲ | $76,598 | +$18,052 |
| Total Employment | 17,600 | 41,600 | -24,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Minneapolis, MN minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $48,000 more (median: $122,000 vs $170,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 111 vs 186), Minneapolis, MN provides better purchasing power ($109,910 vs $91,398 equivalent). Minneapolis, MN has the lower state tax rate (6.8% 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.