Relocation & Cost of Living Intelligence

Data Scientist Salary in Austin vs. Dallas-Fort Worth

Detailed relocation breakdown comparing gross salaries, cost-of-living differences, housing expenses, state taxes, and true purchasing power for Data Scientists moving between Austin, Texas and Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas.

Relocation Verdict & Financial Impact

Moving from Austin to Dallas-Fort Worth

Winner:Dallas-Fort Worth
Austin Median
$149,000
Base gross pay
Dallas-Fort Worth Median
$147,500
-1% vs Austin
Cost of Living Delta
-10.2%
Dallas-Fort Worth is cheaper
Break-Even Salary
$133,800
Required in Dallas-Fort Worth

Moving from Austin to Dallas-Fort Worth yields an estimated 10.2% increase in real purchasing power after taxes and living costs.

  • Housing: Housing is 17% cheaper in Dallas-Fort Worth (median 1-bed: $1,480/mo vs $1,650/mo in Austin).
  • Taxes: Both Austin and Dallas-Fort Worth have 0% state income tax, allowing you to keep more of your gross salary.
  • Purchasing Power: Earning the median $147,500 in Dallas-Fort Worth provides an estimated 10.2% higher standard of living after tax and local expenses compared to $149,000 in Austin.
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Adjust Your Austin Salary

Move the slider or enter your exact salary in Austin to see your required target compensation in Dallas-Fort Worth.

Current Annual Salary
$149,000
Entry ($64,400)Median ($149,000)Top Tier ($353,250)
Austin Benchmark
$149,000

Median for Data Scientist in Austin: $149,000

Required in Dallas-Fort Worth to Break Even
$133,800

-10.2% ($15,200 difference) to match living standards.

Dallas-Fort Worth Market Median Pay
$147,500

✓ Market pay exceeds break-even by $13,700

Data Scientist Salary Percentiles: Austin vs. Dallas-Fort Worth

Data sourced and scaled from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS reports and regional wage indices.

Percentile LevelAustin BaseDallas-Fort Worth BaseDifference
10th Percentile (Entry Level)$92,000$91,000-1%
25th Percentile (Junior / Mid)$119,000$117,500-1%
50th Percentile (Median Benchmark)$149,000$147,500-1%
75th Percentile (Senior Level)$189,000$187,500-1%
90th Percentile (Staff / Lead)$235,500$233,500-1%

Cost of Living Breakdown by Expense Category

Standardized index baseline: 100 = U.S. National Average.

Overall Cost of Living
-10%
Austin: 118
Dallas-Fort Worth: 106
Housing & Rent
-17%
Austin: 138
Dallas-Fort Worth: 114
Groceries & Food
-4%
Austin: 104
Dallas-Fort Worth: 100
Utilities & Energy
+10%
Austin: 98
Dallas-Fort Worth: 108
Transportation
+4%
Austin: 106
Dallas-Fort Worth: 110
Healthcare
+2%
Austin: 99
Dallas-Fort Worth: 101

Estimated Tax & Take-Home Pay Analysis

Austin (TX)State Tax: 0%

Gross Income:$149,000
Est. Federal Income Tax:-$28,310
Est. State & Local Tax:-$0
Estimated Net Take-Home:$120,690/yr
Approx. $10,058 net per month

Dallas-Fort Worth (TX)State Tax: 0%

Gross Income (Median):$147,500
Est. Federal Income Tax:-$28,025
Est. State & Local Tax:-$0
Estimated Net Take-Home:$119,475/yr
Approx. $9,956 net per month

* Note: Tax estimations are based on standard single filer brackets and effective statutory rates. Actual tax obligations depend on filing status, deductions, 401(k) contributions, and local municipal withholdings.

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Find Apartments in Dallas-Fort Worth

Explore 1-bed rentals in Dallas-Fort Worth (median: $1,480/mo) and neighborhood crime/walkability scores.

  • Verified rental listings in TX
  • Virtual tours & direct landlord contacts
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Keep Coastal Pay Anywhere

Why relocate when you can earn top-tier Dallas-Fort Worth salaries working 100% remotely from anywhere?

  • Curated remote Data Scientist openings
  • Standardized global/US compensation
Browse Remote Data Scientist Jobs

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City Profiles & Living Factors

Austin, Texas

Climate: Humid Subtropical (Warm / Sunny)
COL Index: 118

Known as Silicon Hills, Austin offers a booming tech ecosystem with zero state income tax, making it a prime destination for remote and hybrid tech workers.

Key Advantages
0% State Income TaxSilicon Hills Tech HubVibrant Live Music & Food

Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas

Climate: Humid Subtropical (Hot summers)
COL Index: 106

A major corporate magnet offering zero state income tax and spacious, affordable housing for growing families and remote workers.

Key Advantages
0% State Income TaxMassive Corporate BaseSpacious Housing

Frequently Asked Questions: Data Scientist (Austin vs. Dallas-Fort Worth)

How much does a Data Scientist make in Austin vs. Dallas-Fort Worth?

In Austin, the median salary for a Data Scientist is $149,000 per year (range: $119,000 - $189,000). In Dallas-Fort Worth, the median salary is $147,500 per year (range: $117,500 - $187,500), representing a -1% compensation difference.

What salary in Dallas-Fort Worth equals a $149,000 salary in Austin?

To maintain the exact same standard of living as a $149,000 salary in Austin, you would need to earn approximately $133,800 in Dallas-Fort Worth, due to the 10.2% lower cost of living in Dallas-Fort Worth.

Is it more expensive to live in Austin or Dallas-Fort Worth?

Austin is more expensive overall. Dallas-Fort Worth has a Cost of Living Index of 106 compared to 118 for Austin. Housing is 17% cheaper in Dallas-Fort Worth (median 1-bed: $1,480/mo vs $1,650/mo in Austin).

How do state income taxes compare between Austin (TX) and Dallas-Fort Worth (TX)?

Both Austin and Dallas-Fort Worth have 0% state income tax, allowing you to keep more of your gross salary. Austin has an estimated state/local income tax rate of 0%, while Dallas-Fort Worth has an estimated rate of 0%.

What are average rental costs in Austin vs. Dallas-Fort Worth?

The median 1-bedroom apartment rent in Austin is approximately $1,650/month, compared to $1,480/month in Dallas-Fort Worth.