Salary Comparison

Data Scientist Salary:
Boston, MA vs Atlanta, GA

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

Boston, MA
$158,941
/ year
+31%
difference
Atlanta, GA
$121,660
/ year
Bottom line: Atlanta offers better purchasing power despite Boston paying more gross. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Boston
Atlanta
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$158,941✓ higher
$121,660
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$102,786✓ higher
$78,677
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$245,774✓ higher
$188,126
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$106,640✓ higher
$84,141
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$113,529
$115,867✓ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.40×
1.05×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$102,786✓ higher
$78,677
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$245,774✓ higher
$188,126

What if you move from Boston to Atlanta?

Gross salary change
$37,281
31% decrease
Take-home change
$22,499
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$2,338
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

Boston, MA$158,941
P10: $102,786Median: $158,941P90: $245,774
Atlanta, GA$121,660
P10: $78,677Median: $121,660P90: $188,126

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

The median Data Scientist salary in Boston, MA is $158,941/yr compared to $121,660/yr in Atlanta, GA. Boston pays 31% more in gross terms.

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

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Boston salary has the purchasing power of $113,529/yr in a median-cost city, vs $115,867/yr for Atlanta. Atlanta offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a Data Scientist in Boston, MA takes home approximately $106,640/yr, vs $84,141/yr in Atlanta, GA. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.