Salary Comparison

Data Scientist Salary:
Seattle, WA vs Houston, TX

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

Seattle, WA
$175,827
/ year
+43%
difference
Houston, TX
$123,250
/ year
Bottom line: Houston offers better purchasing power despite Seattle paying more gross. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Seattle
Houston
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$175,827✓ higher
$123,250
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$113,706✓ higher
$79,705
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$271,885✓ higher
$190,584
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$117,384✓ higher
$85,101
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$123,822
$125,765✓ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.42×
0.98×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$113,706✓ higher
$79,705
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$271,885✓ higher
$190,584

What if you move from Seattle to Houston?

Gross salary change
$52,577
43% decrease
Take-home change
$32,283
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$1,943
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

Seattle, WA$175,827
P10: $113,706Median: $175,827P90: $271,885
Houston, TX$123,250
P10: $79,705Median: $123,250P90: $190,584

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Frequently Asked Questions

▶Does a Data Scientist earn more in Seattle or Houston?

The median Data Scientist salary in Seattle, WA is $175,827/yr compared to $123,250/yr in Houston, TX. Seattle pays 43% more in gross terms.

▶Is a Data Scientist salary worth more in Seattle or Houston after cost of living?

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Seattle salary has the purchasing power of $123,822/yr in a median-cost city, vs $125,765/yr for Houston. Houston offers stronger real purchasing power.

▶What is the take-home pay for a Data Scientist in Seattle vs Houston?

After estimated taxes, a Data Scientist in Seattle, WA takes home approximately $117,384/yr, vs $85,101/yr in Houston, TX. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.