Salary Comparison

Data Scientist Salary:
Denver, CO vs Philadelphia, PA

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

Denver, CO
$140,804
/ year
+6%
difference
Philadelphia, PA
$132,232
/ 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
Philadelphia
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$140,804✓ higher
$132,232
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$91,057✓ higher
$85,514
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$217,728✓ higher
$204,473
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$95,695✓ higher
$90,522
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$123,512✓ higher
$122,437
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.14×
1.08×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$91,057✓ higher
$85,514
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$217,728✓ higher
$204,473

What if you move from Denver to Philadelphia?

Gross salary change
$8,572
6% decrease
Take-home change
$5,173
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
$1,075
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
Philadelphia, PA$132,232
P10: $85,514Median: $132,232P90: $204,473

More Data Scientist salary comparisons

Denver vs New YorkDenver vs Los AngelesDenver vs ChicagoDenver vs HoustonDenver vs PhoenixDenver vs San AntonioAll Data Scientist salaries →

Frequently Asked Questions

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

The median Data Scientist salary in Denver, CO is $140,804/yr compared to $132,232/yr in Philadelphia, PA. Denver pays 6% more in gross terms.

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

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

After estimated taxes, a Data Scientist in Denver, CO takes home approximately $95,695/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.