Salary Comparison

Data Scientist Salary:
San Francisco, CA vs Boston, MA

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

San Francisco, CA
$207,524
/ year
+22%
difference
Boston, MA
$170,251
/ year
Bottom line: San Francisco wins on all three metrics — higher salary, more take-home pay, and greater purchasing power. How is this calculated? →
Metric
San Francisco
Boston
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$207,524✓ higher
$170,251
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$134,205✓ higher
$110,101
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$320,899✓ higher
$263,263
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$138,938✓ higher
$113,592
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$123,526✓ higher
$121,608
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.68×
1.40×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$134,205✓ higher
$110,101
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$320,899✓ higher
$263,263

What if you move from San Francisco to Boston?

Gross salary change
$37,273
22% decrease
Take-home change
$25,346
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
$1,918
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$207,524
P10: $134,205Median: $207,524P90: $320,899
Boston, MA$170,251
P10: $110,101Median: $170,251P90: $263,263

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

The median Data Scientist salary in San Francisco, CA is $207,524/yr compared to $170,251/yr in Boston, MA. San Francisco pays 22% more in gross terms.

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

After adjusting for local cost of living, your San Francisco salary has the purchasing power of $123,526/yr in a median-cost city, vs $121,608/yr for Boston. San Francisco offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a Data Scientist in San Francisco, CA takes home approximately $138,938/yr, vs $113,592/yr in Boston, MA. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.