Salary Comparison

Data Scientist Salary:
Austin, TX vs Philadelphia, PA

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

Austin, TX
$133,458
/ year
+1%
difference
Philadelphia, PA
$132,232
/ year
Bottom line: Philadelphia offers better purchasing power despite Austin paying more gross. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Austin
Philadelphia
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$133,458✓ higher
$132,232
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$86,307✓ higher
$85,514
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$206,369✓ higher
$204,473
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$91,261✓ higher
$90,522
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$119,159
$122,437✓ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.12×
1.08×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$86,307✓ higher
$85,514
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$206,369✓ higher
$204,473

What if you move from Austin to Philadelphia?

Gross salary change
$1,226
1% decrease
Take-home change
$739
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$3,278
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
Philadelphia, PA$132,232
P10: $85,514Median: $132,232P90: $204,473

More Data Scientist salary comparisons

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

The median Data Scientist salary in Austin, TX is $133,458/yr compared to $132,232/yr in Philadelphia, PA. Austin pays 1% more in gross terms.

▶Is a Data Scientist salary worth more in Austin or Philadelphia 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 $122,437/yr for Philadelphia. Philadelphia offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a Data Scientist in Austin, TX takes home approximately $91,261/yr, vs $90,522/yr in Philadelphia, PA. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.