Salary Comparison

Data Scientist Salary:
San Francisco, CA vs Denver, CO

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

San Francisco, CA
$179,978
/ year
+19%
difference
Denver, CO
$150,932
/ year
Bottom line: Denver offers better purchasing power despite San Francisco paying more gross. How is this calculated? →
Metric
San Francisco
Denver
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$179,978✓ higher
$150,932
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$116,391✓ higher
$97,607
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$278,304✓ higher
$233,390
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$120,207✓ higher
$101,807
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$107,130
$132,396✓ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.68×
1.14×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$116,391✓ higher
$97,607
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$278,304✓ higher
$233,390

What if you move from San Francisco to Denver?

Gross salary change
$29,046
19% decrease
Take-home change
$18,400
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$25,266
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
Denver, CO$150,932
P10: $97,607Median: $150,932P90: $233,390

More Data Scientist salary comparisons

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

The median Data Scientist salary in San Francisco, CA is $179,978/yr compared to $150,932/yr in Denver, CO. San Francisco pays 19% more in gross terms.

▶Is a Data Scientist salary worth more in San Francisco or Denver 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 $132,396/yr for Denver. Denver offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a Data Scientist in San Francisco, CA takes home approximately $120,207/yr, vs $101,807/yr in Denver, CO. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.