Salary Comparison

Data Scientist Salary:
Denver, CO vs San Antonio, TX

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

Denver, CO
$140,804
/ year
+33%
difference
San Antonio, TX
$105,674
/ year
Bottom line: Denver wins on all three metrics โ€” higher salary, more take-home pay, and greater purchasing power. How is this calculated? โ†’
Metric
Denver
San Antonio
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$140,804โœ“ higher
$105,674
Entry Level
0โ€“2 years experience
$91,057โœ“ higher
$68,339
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$217,728โœ“ higher
$163,406
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$95,695โœ“ higher
$74,494
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$123,512โœ“ higher
$120,084
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.14ร—
0.88ร—โœ“ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$91,057โœ“ higher
$68,339
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$217,728โœ“ higher
$163,406

What if you move from Denver to San Antonio?

Gross salary change
$35,130
33% decrease
Take-home change
$21,201
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
$3,428
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 1.00ร—). Full methodology โ†’

Salary Range Comparison

Denver, CO$140,804
P10: $91,057Median: $140,804P90: $217,728
San Antonio, TX$105,674
P10: $68,339Median: $105,674P90: $163,406

Frequently Asked Questions

โ–ถDoes a Data Scientist earn more in Denver or San Antonio?

The median Data Scientist salary in Denver, CO is $140,804/yr compared to $105,674/yr in San Antonio, TX. Denver pays 33% more in gross terms.

โ–ถIs a Data Scientist salary worth more in Denver or San Antonio 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 $120,084/yr for San Antonio. Denver offers stronger real purchasing power.

โ–ถWhat is the take-home pay for a Data Scientist in Denver vs San Antonio?

After estimated taxes, a Data Scientist in Denver, CO takes home approximately $95,695/yr, vs $74,494/yr in San Antonio, TX. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.