Salary Comparison

Data Scientist Salary:
Melbourne vs Adelaide

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

Melbourne
$100,346
/ year
+22%
difference
Adelaide
$82,180
/ year
Bottom line: Adelaide offers better purchasing power despite Melbourne paying more gross. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Melbourne
Adelaide
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$100,346✓ higher
$82,180
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$66,579✓ higher
$54,526
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$151,239✓ higher
$123,860
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$68,235✓ higher
$55,882
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$80,277
$82,180✓ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.25×
1.00×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$101,200✓ higher
$82,880
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$229,883✓ higher
$188,267

What if you move from Melbourne to Adelaide?

Gross salary change
$18,166
22% decrease
Take-home change
$12,353
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$1,903
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

Melbourne$100,346
P10: $101,200Median: $100,346P90: $229,883
Adelaide$82,180
P10: $82,880Median: $82,180P90: $188,267

More Data Scientist salary comparisons

Melbourne vs SydneyMelbourne vs BrisbaneMelbourne vs PerthAll Data Scientist salaries →

Frequently Asked Questions

▶Does a Data Scientist earn more in Melbourne or Adelaide?

The median Data Scientist salary in Melbourne is A$152,526/yr compared to A$124,914/yr in Adelaide. Melbourne pays 22% more in gross terms.

▶Is a Data Scientist salary worth more in Melbourne or Adelaide after cost of living?

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Melbourne salary has the purchasing power of $80,277/yr in a median-cost city, vs $82,180/yr for Adelaide. Adelaide offers stronger real purchasing power.

▶What is the take-home pay for a Data Scientist in Melbourne vs Adelaide?

After estimated taxes, a Data Scientist in Melbourne takes home approximately $68,235/yr, vs $55,882/yr in Adelaide. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.