Salary Comparison

Data Scientist Salary:
Los Angeles, CA vs Bangalore

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

Los Angeles, CA
$168,072
/ year
+571%
difference
Bangalore
$25,034
/ year
Bottom line: Los Angeles wins on all three metrics โ€” higher salary, more take-home pay, and greater purchasing power. How is this calculated? โ†’
Metric
Los Angeles
Bangalore
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$168,072โœ“ higher
$25,034
Entry Level
0โ€“2 years experience
$108,691โœ“ higher
$16,610
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$259,894โœ“ higher
$37,731
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$112,151โœ“ higher
$20,528
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$121,791โœ“ higher
$55,631
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.38ร—
0.45ร—โœ“ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$108,691
$1,378,630โœ“ higher
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$259,894
$3,131,673โœ“ higher

What if you move from Los Angeles to Bangalore?

Gross salary change
$143,038
571% decrease
Take-home change
$91,623
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
$66,160
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

Los Angeles, CA$168,072
P10: $108,691Median: $168,072P90: $259,894
Bangalore$25,034
P10: $1,378,630Median: $25,034P90: $3,131,673

Frequently Asked Questions

โ–ถDoes a Data Scientist earn more in Los Angeles or Bangalore?

The median Data Scientist salary in Los Angeles, CA is $168,072/yr compared to โ‚น2,077,822/yr in Bangalore. Los Angeles pays 571% more in gross terms.

โ–ถIs a Data Scientist salary worth more in Los Angeles or Bangalore after cost of living?

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Los Angeles salary has the purchasing power of $121,791/yr in a median-cost city, vs $55,631/yr for Bangalore. Los Angeles offers stronger real purchasing power.

โ–ถWhat is the take-home pay for a Data Scientist in Los Angeles vs Bangalore?

After estimated taxes, a Data Scientist in Los Angeles, CA takes home approximately $112,151/yr, vs $20,528/yr in Bangalore. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.