Salary Comparison

Data Scientist Salary:
Austin, TX vs Boston, MA

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

Austin, TX
$133,458
/ year
-22%
difference
Boston, MA
$170,251
/ year
Bottom line: Boston wins on all three metrics — higher salary, more take-home pay, and greater purchasing power. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Austin
Boston
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$133,458
$170,251✓ higher
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$86,307
$110,101✓ higher
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$206,369
$263,263✓ higher
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$91,261
$113,592✓ higher
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$119,159
$121,608✓ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.12×✓ lower
1.40×
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$86,307
$110,101✓ higher
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$206,369
$263,263✓ higher

What if you move from Austin to Boston?

Gross salary change
+$36,793
22% increase
Take-home change
+$22,331
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$2,449
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 1.00×). Full methodology →

Salary Range Comparison

Austin, TX$133,458
P10: $86,307Median: $133,458P90: $206,369
Boston, MA$170,251
P10: $110,101Median: $170,251P90: $263,263

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Frequently Asked Questions

▶Does a Data Scientist earn more in Austin or Boston?

The median Data Scientist salary in Austin, TX is $133,458/yr compared to $170,251/yr in Boston, MA. Boston pays 22% more in gross terms.

▶Is a Data Scientist salary worth more in Austin or Boston after cost of living?

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Austin salary has the purchasing power of $119,159/yr in a median-cost city, vs $121,608/yr for Boston. Boston offers stronger real purchasing power.

▶What is the take-home pay for a Data Scientist in Austin vs Boston?

After estimated taxes, a Data Scientist in Austin, TX takes home approximately $91,261/yr, vs $113,592/yr in Boston, MA. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.