Salary Comparison

Data Scientist Salary:
New York, NY vs Austin, TX

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

New York, NY
$173,630
/ year
+30%
difference
Austin, TX
$133,458
/ year
Bottom line: New York wins on all three metrics โ€” higher salary, more take-home pay, and greater purchasing power. How is this calculated? โ†’
Metric
New York
Austin
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$173,630โœ“ higher
$133,458
Entry Level
0โ€“2 years experience
$112,286โœ“ higher
$86,307
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$268,488โœ“ higher
$206,369
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$115,890โœ“ higher
$91,261
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$119,745โœ“ higher
$119,159
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.45ร—
1.12ร—โœ“ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$112,286โœ“ higher
$86,307
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$268,488โœ“ higher
$206,369

What if you move from New York to Austin?

Gross salary change
$40,172
30% decrease
Take-home change
$24,629
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
$586
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

New York, NY$173,630
P10: $112,286Median: $173,630P90: $268,488
Austin, TX$133,458
P10: $86,307Median: $133,458P90: $206,369

Frequently Asked Questions

โ–ถDoes a Data Scientist earn more in New York or Austin?

The median Data Scientist salary in New York, NY is $173,630/yr compared to $133,458/yr in Austin, TX. New York pays 30% more in gross terms.

โ–ถIs a Data Scientist salary worth more in New York or Austin after cost of living?

After adjusting for local cost of living, your New York salary has the purchasing power of $119,745/yr in a median-cost city, vs $119,159/yr for Austin. New York offers stronger real purchasing power.

โ–ถWhat is the take-home pay for a Data Scientist in New York vs Austin?

After estimated taxes, a Data Scientist in New York, NY takes home approximately $115,890/yr, vs $91,261/yr in Austin, TX. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.