Salary Comparison

Data Scientist Salary:
Denver, CO vs Atlanta, GA

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

Denver, CO
$140,804
/ year
+11%
difference
Atlanta, GA
$127,234
/ year
Bottom line: Denver wins on all three metrics — higher salary, more take-home pay, and greater purchasing power. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Denver
Atlanta
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$140,804✓ higher
$127,234
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$91,057✓ higher
$82,282
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$217,728✓ higher
$196,745
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$95,695✓ higher
$87,505
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$123,512✓ higher
$121,175
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.14×
1.05×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$91,057✓ higher
$82,282
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$217,728✓ higher
$196,745

What if you move from Denver to Atlanta?

Gross salary change
$13,570
11% decrease
Take-home change
$8,190
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
$2,337
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

Denver, CO$140,804
P10: $91,057Median: $140,804P90: $217,728
Atlanta, GA$127,234
P10: $82,282Median: $127,234P90: $196,745

More Data Scientist salary comparisons

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

The median Data Scientist salary in Denver, CO is $140,804/yr compared to $127,234/yr in Atlanta, GA. Denver pays 11% more in gross terms.

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

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Denver salary has the purchasing power of $123,512/yr in a median-cost city, vs $121,175/yr for Atlanta. Denver offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a Data Scientist in Denver, CO takes home approximately $95,695/yr, vs $87,505/yr in Atlanta, GA. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.