Salary Comparison

Data Scientist Salary:
Atlanta, GA vs San Antonio, TX

Side-by-side gross salary, after-tax take-home pay, and purchasing power comparison. Updated June 2026.

Atlanta, GA
$127,234
/ year
+20%
difference
San Antonio, TX
$105,674
/ year
Bottom line: Atlanta wins on all three metrics โ€” higher salary, more take-home pay, and greater purchasing power. How is this calculated? โ†’
Metric
Atlanta
San Antonio
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$127,234โœ“ higher
$105,674
Entry Level
0โ€“2 years experience
$82,282โœ“ higher
$68,339
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$196,745โœ“ higher
$163,406
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$87,505โœ“ higher
$74,494
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$121,175โœ“ higher
$120,084
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.05ร—
0.88ร—โœ“ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$82,282โœ“ higher
$68,339
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$196,745โœ“ higher
$163,406

What if you move from Atlanta to San Antonio?

Gross salary change
$21,560
20% decrease
Take-home change
$13,011
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
$1,091
equivalent real income

Take-home pay is estimated using 2024 US federal tax brackets (single filer) + 7.65% FICA, or a blended international effective rate. Purchasing power converts gross salary to an equivalent in a US median cost-of-living city (index 1.00ร—). Full methodology โ†’

Salary Range Comparison

Atlanta, GA$127,234
P10: $82,282Median: $127,234P90: $196,745
San Antonio, TX$105,674
P10: $68,339Median: $105,674P90: $163,406

Frequently Asked Questions

โ–ถDoes a Data Scientist earn more in Atlanta or San Antonio?

The median Data Scientist salary in Atlanta, GA is $127,234/yr compared to $105,674/yr in San Antonio, TX. Atlanta pays 20% more in gross terms.

โ–ถIs a Data Scientist salary worth more in Atlanta or San Antonio after cost of living?

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Atlanta salary has the purchasing power of $121,175/yr in a median-cost city, vs $120,084/yr for San Antonio. Atlanta offers stronger real purchasing power.

โ–ถWhat is the take-home pay for a Data Scientist in Atlanta vs San Antonio?

After estimated taxes, a Data Scientist in Atlanta, GA takes home approximately $87,505/yr, vs $74,494/yr in San Antonio, TX. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.