Salary Comparison

Data Scientist Salary:
New York, NY vs Phoenix, AZ

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

New York, NY
$173,630
/ year
+49%
difference
Phoenix, AZ
$116,691
/ year
Bottom line: Phoenix offers better purchasing power despite New York paying more gross. How is this calculated? โ†’
Metric
New York
Phoenix
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$173,630โœ“ higher
$116,691
Entry Level
0โ€“2 years experience
$112,286โœ“ higher
$75,464
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$268,488โœ“ higher
$180,442
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$115,890โœ“ higher
$81,143
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$119,745
$120,300โœ“ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.45ร—
0.97ร—โœ“ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$112,286โœ“ higher
$75,464
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$268,488โœ“ higher
$180,442

What if you move from New York to Phoenix?

Gross salary change
$56,939
49% decrease
Take-home change
$34,747
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$555
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
Phoenix, AZ$116,691
P10: $75,464Median: $116,691P90: $180,442

Frequently Asked Questions

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

The median Data Scientist salary in New York, NY is $173,630/yr compared to $116,691/yr in Phoenix, AZ. New York pays 49% more in gross terms.

โ–ถIs a Data Scientist salary worth more in New York or Phoenix 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 $120,300/yr for Phoenix. Phoenix offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a Data Scientist in New York, NY takes home approximately $115,890/yr, vs $81,143/yr in Phoenix, AZ. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.