Relocation & Cost of Living Intelligence

Data Scientist Salary in Sacramento 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 Sacramento, California and Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas.

Relocation Verdict & Financial Impact

Moving from Sacramento to Dallas-Fort Worth

Winner:Dallas-Fort Worth
Sacramento Median
$154,500
Base gross pay
Dallas-Fort Worth Median
$147,500
-4.5% vs Sacramento
Cost of Living Delta
-15.2%
Dallas-Fort Worth is cheaper
Break-Even Salary
$131,000
Required in Dallas-Fort Worth

Moving from Sacramento to Dallas-Fort Worth yields an estimated 27.2% increase in real purchasing power after taxes and living costs.

  • Housing: Housing is 25% cheaper in Dallas-Fort Worth (median 1-bed: $1,480/mo vs $1,750/mo in Sacramento).
  • Taxes: Dallas-Fort Worth has a lower state/local tax rate (0% vs 9.3% in Sacramento), providing an extra tax advantage.
  • Purchasing Power: Earning the median $147,500 in Dallas-Fort Worth provides an estimated 27.2% higher standard of living after tax and local expenses compared to $154,500 in Sacramento.
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Adjust Your Sacramento Salary

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

Current Annual Salary
$154,500
Entry ($66,500)Median ($154,500)Top Tier ($366,000)
Sacramento Benchmark
$154,500

Median for Data Scientist in Sacramento: $154,500

Required in Dallas-Fort Worth to Break Even
$131,000

-15.2% ($23,500 difference) to match living standards.

Dallas-Fort Worth Market Median Pay
$147,500

✓ Market pay exceeds break-even by $16,500

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

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

Percentile LevelSacramento BaseDallas-Fort Worth BaseDifference
10th Percentile (Entry Level)$95,000$91,000-4%
25th Percentile (Junior / Mid)$123,000$117,500-4%
50th Percentile (Median Benchmark)$154,500$147,500-4.5%
75th Percentile (Senior Level)$196,000$187,500-4%
90th Percentile (Staff / Lead)$244,000$233,500-4%

Cost of Living Breakdown by Expense Category

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

Overall Cost of Living
-15%
Sacramento: 125
Dallas-Fort Worth: 106
Housing & Rent
-25%
Sacramento: 152
Dallas-Fort Worth: 114
Groceries & Food
-7%
Sacramento: 108
Dallas-Fort Worth: 100
Utilities & Energy
-6%
Sacramento: 115
Dallas-Fort Worth: 108
Transportation
-11%
Sacramento: 124
Dallas-Fort Worth: 110
Healthcare
-5%
Sacramento: 106
Dallas-Fort Worth: 101

Estimated Tax & Take-Home Pay Analysis

Sacramento (CA)State Tax: 9.3%

Gross Income:$154,500
Est. Federal Income Tax:-$29,355
Est. State & Local Tax:-$14,369
Estimated Net Take-Home:$110,776/yr
Approx. $9,231 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

Sacramento, California

Climate: Mediterranean (Hot summers, mild winters)
COL Index: 125

An increasingly popular Northern California destination for remote tech workers seeking more affordable housing within driving distance of Silicon Valley.

Key Advantages
Affordable Northern CA HubState Government & Tech GrowthProximity to Lake Tahoe & Bay Area

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 (Sacramento vs. Dallas-Fort Worth)

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

In Sacramento, the median salary for a Data Scientist is $154,500 per year (range: $123,000 - $196,000). In Dallas-Fort Worth, the median salary is $147,500 per year (range: $117,500 - $187,500), representing a -4.5% compensation difference.

What salary in Dallas-Fort Worth equals a $154,500 salary in Sacramento?

To maintain the exact same standard of living as a $154,500 salary in Sacramento, you would need to earn approximately $131,000 in Dallas-Fort Worth, due to the 15.2% lower cost of living in Dallas-Fort Worth.

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

Sacramento is more expensive overall. Dallas-Fort Worth has a Cost of Living Index of 106 compared to 125 for Sacramento. Housing is 25% cheaper in Dallas-Fort Worth (median 1-bed: $1,480/mo vs $1,750/mo in Sacramento).

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

Dallas-Fort Worth has a lower state/local tax rate (0% vs 9.3% in Sacramento), providing an extra tax advantage. Sacramento has an estimated state/local income tax rate of 9.3%, while Dallas-Fort Worth has an estimated rate of 0%.

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

The median 1-bedroom apartment rent in Sacramento is approximately $1,750/month, compared to $1,480/month in Dallas-Fort Worth.