Salary Comparison

Data Scientist Salary:
San Francisco, CA vs Atlanta, GA

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

San Francisco, CA
$179,978
/ year
+48%
difference
Atlanta, GA
$121,660
/ year
Bottom line: Atlanta offers better purchasing power despite San Francisco paying more gross. How is this calculated? →
Metric
San Francisco
Atlanta
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$179,978✓ higher
$121,660
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$116,391✓ higher
$78,677
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$278,304✓ higher
$188,126
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$120,207✓ higher
$84,141
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$107,130
$115,867✓ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.68×
1.05×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$116,391✓ higher
$78,677
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$278,304✓ higher
$188,126

What if you move from San Francisco to Atlanta?

Gross salary change
$58,318
48% decrease
Take-home change
$36,066
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$8,737
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

San Francisco, CA$179,978
P10: $116,391Median: $179,978P90: $278,304
Atlanta, GA$121,660
P10: $78,677Median: $121,660P90: $188,126

More Data Scientist salary comparisons

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Frequently Asked Questions

▶Does a Data Scientist earn more in San Francisco or Atlanta?

The median Data Scientist salary in San Francisco, CA is $179,978/yr compared to $121,660/yr in Atlanta, GA. San Francisco pays 48% more in gross terms.

▶Is a Data Scientist salary worth more in San Francisco or Atlanta after cost of living?

After adjusting for local cost of living, your San Francisco salary has the purchasing power of $107,130/yr in a median-cost city, vs $115,867/yr for Atlanta. Atlanta offers stronger real purchasing power.

▶What is the take-home pay for a Data Scientist in San Francisco vs Atlanta?

After estimated taxes, a Data Scientist in San Francisco, CA takes home approximately $120,207/yr, vs $84,141/yr in Atlanta, GA. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.