Relocation & Cost of Living Intelligence

Data Scientist Salary in Tampa-St. Petersburg vs. Portland

Detailed relocation breakdown comparing gross salaries, cost-of-living differences, housing expenses, state taxes, and true purchasing power for Data Scientists moving between Tampa-St. Petersburg, Florida and Portland, Oregon.

Relocation Verdict & Financial Impact

Moving from Tampa-St. Petersburg to Portland

Winner:Tampa-St. Petersburg
Tampa-St. Petersburg Median
$141,000
Base gross pay
Portland Median
$157,500
+11.7% vs Tampa-St. Petersburg
Cost of Living Delta
+22.6%
Portland is higher
Break-Even Salary
$172,900
Required in Portland

To maintain your current standard of living in Tampa-St. Petersburg ($141,000), you will need a salary of at least $172,900 in Portland due to higher local living costs.

  • Housing: Housing is 40% more expensive in Portland (median 1-bed: $1,600/mo vs $1,600/mo in Tampa-St. Petersburg).
  • Taxes: Portland has a higher state/local tax rate (9% vs 0% in Tampa-St. Petersburg), reducing your net take-home pay.
  • Purchasing Power: Earning the median $157,500 in Portland provides an estimated 19% lower standard of living after tax and local expenses compared to $141,000 in Tampa-St. Petersburg.
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Adjust Your Tampa-St. Petersburg Salary

Move the slider or enter your exact salary in Tampa-St. Petersburg to see your required target compensation in Portland.

Current Annual Salary
$141,000
Entry ($60,550)Median ($141,000)Top Tier ($333,750)
Tampa-St. Petersburg Benchmark
$141,000

Median for Data Scientist in Tampa-St. Petersburg: $141,000

Required in Portland to Break Even
$172,900

+22.6% ($31,900 difference) to match living standards.

Portland Market Median Pay
$157,500

⚠ Market pay is $15,400 below break-even

Data Scientist Salary Percentiles: Tampa-St. Petersburg vs. Portland

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

Percentile LevelTampa-St. Petersburg BasePortland BaseDifference
10th Percentile (Entry Level)$86,500$97,000+12%
25th Percentile (Junior / Mid)$112,000$125,500+12%
50th Percentile (Median Benchmark)$141,000$157,500+11.7%
75th Percentile (Senior Level)$178,500$199,500+12%
90th Percentile (Staff / Lead)$222,500$248,500+12%

Cost of Living Breakdown by Expense Category

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

Overall Cost of Living
+23%
Tampa-St. Petersburg: 106
Portland: 130
Housing & Rent
+40%
Tampa-St. Petersburg: 118
Portland: 165
Groceries & Food
+10%
Tampa-St. Petersburg: 102
Portland: 112
Utilities & Energy
-12%
Tampa-St. Petersburg: 104
Portland: 92
Transportation
+15%
Tampa-St. Petersburg: 106
Portland: 122
Healthcare
+9%
Tampa-St. Petersburg: 99
Portland: 108

Estimated Tax & Take-Home Pay Analysis

Tampa-St. Petersburg (FL)State Tax: 0%

Gross Income:$141,000
Est. Federal Income Tax:-$26,790
Est. State & Local Tax:-$0
Estimated Net Take-Home:$114,210/yr
Approx. $9,518 net per month

Portland (OR)State Tax: 9%

Gross Income (Median):$157,500
Est. Federal Income Tax:-$29,925
Est. State & Local Tax:-$14,175
Estimated Net Take-Home:$113,400/yr
Approx. $9,450 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 Portland

Explore 1-bed rentals in Portland (median: $1,600/mo) and neighborhood crime/walkability scores.

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

Why relocate when you can earn top-tier Portland 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

Tampa-St. Petersburg, Florida

Climate: Humid Subtropical (Sunny & Warm)
COL Index: 106

A rapidly growing tech and financial services magnet on the Gulf Coast offering zero state income tax and year-round waterfront living.

Key Advantages
0% State Income TaxGulf Coast Beach LivingFast Growing Florida Tech Hub

Portland, Oregon

Climate: Oceanic (Mild / Green)
COL Index: 130

Anchored by the 'Silicon Forest' (Intel, Nike tech), Portland offers scenic Pacific Northwest living and zero state sales tax.

Key Advantages
Silicon Forest Tech Cluster0% State Sales TaxPremier Pacific Northwest Lifestyle

Frequently Asked Questions: Data Scientist (Tampa-St. Petersburg vs. Portland)

How much does a Data Scientist make in Tampa-St. Petersburg vs. Portland?

In Tampa-St. Petersburg, the median salary for a Data Scientist is $141,000 per year (range: $112,000 - $178,500). In Portland, the median salary is $157,500 per year (range: $125,500 - $199,500), representing a +11.7% compensation difference.

What salary in Portland equals a $141,000 salary in Tampa-St. Petersburg?

To maintain the exact same standard of living as a $141,000 salary in Tampa-St. Petersburg, you would need to earn approximately $172,900 in Portland, due to the 22.6% higher cost of living in Portland.

Is it more expensive to live in Tampa-St. Petersburg or Portland?

Portland is more expensive overall. Portland has a Cost of Living Index of 130 compared to 106 for Tampa-St. Petersburg. Housing is 40% more expensive in Portland (median 1-bed: $1,600/mo vs $1,600/mo in Tampa-St. Petersburg).

How do state income taxes compare between Tampa-St. Petersburg (FL) and Portland (OR)?

Portland has a higher state/local tax rate (9% vs 0% in Tampa-St. Petersburg), reducing your net take-home pay. Tampa-St. Petersburg has an estimated state/local income tax rate of 0%, while Portland has an estimated rate of 9%.

What are average rental costs in Tampa-St. Petersburg vs. Portland?

The median 1-bedroom apartment rent in Tampa-St. Petersburg is approximately $1,600/month, compared to $1,600/month in Portland.