Relocation & Cost of Living Intelligence

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

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 Sacramento, California.

Relocation Verdict & Financial Impact

Moving from Tampa-St. Petersburg to Sacramento

Winner:Tampa-St. Petersburg
Tampa-St. Petersburg Median
$141,000
Base gross pay
Sacramento Median
$154,500
+9.6% vs Tampa-St. Petersburg
Cost of Living Delta
+17.9%
Sacramento is higher
Break-Even Salary
$166,300
Required in Sacramento

To maintain your current standard of living in Tampa-St. Petersburg ($141,000), you will need a salary of at least $166,300 in Sacramento due to higher local living costs.

  • Housing: Housing is 29% more expensive in Sacramento (median 1-bed: $1,750/mo vs $1,600/mo in Tampa-St. Petersburg).
  • Taxes: Sacramento has a higher state/local tax rate (9.3% vs 0% in Tampa-St. Petersburg), reducing your net take-home pay.
  • Purchasing Power: Earning the median $154,500 in Sacramento provides an estimated 17.7% lower standard of living after tax and local expenses compared to $141,000 in Tampa-St. Petersburg.
Interactive Relocation Calculator

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 Sacramento.

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 Sacramento to Break Even
$166,300

+17.9% ($25,300 difference) to match living standards.

Sacramento Market Median Pay
$154,500

⚠ Market pay is $11,800 below break-even

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

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

Percentile LevelTampa-St. Petersburg BaseSacramento BaseDifference
10th Percentile (Entry Level)$86,500$95,000+10%
25th Percentile (Junior / Mid)$112,000$123,000+10%
50th Percentile (Median Benchmark)$141,000$154,500+9.6%
75th Percentile (Senior Level)$178,500$196,000+10%
90th Percentile (Staff / Lead)$222,500$244,000+10%

Cost of Living Breakdown by Expense Category

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

Overall Cost of Living
+18%
Tampa-St. Petersburg: 106
Sacramento: 125
Housing & Rent
+29%
Tampa-St. Petersburg: 118
Sacramento: 152
Groceries & Food
+6%
Tampa-St. Petersburg: 102
Sacramento: 108
Utilities & Energy
+11%
Tampa-St. Petersburg: 104
Sacramento: 115
Transportation
+17%
Tampa-St. Petersburg: 106
Sacramento: 124
Healthcare
+7%
Tampa-St. Petersburg: 99
Sacramento: 106

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

Sacramento (CA)State Tax: 9.3%

Gross Income (Median):$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

* 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.

Planning a Move to Sacramento?

Compare instant free quotes from licensed interstate and long-distance moving companies between Tampa-St. Petersburg and Sacramento.

  • Save up to 40% on interstate moving
  • Verified, insured van lines
Get Free Moving Quotes

Find Apartments in Sacramento

Explore 1-bed rentals in Sacramento (median: $1,750/mo) and neighborhood crime/walkability scores.

  • Verified rental listings in CA
  • Virtual tours & direct landlord contacts
Search Sacramento Rentals

Keep Coastal Pay Anywhere

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

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

Targeting a Data Scientist Role in Sacramento?

Use our free ATS Resume Builder with role-specific bullet point enhancers and match scoring to stand out to hiring managers.

Build Free Resume

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

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

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

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

In Tampa-St. Petersburg, the median salary for a Data Scientist is $141,000 per year (range: $112,000 - $178,500). In Sacramento, the median salary is $154,500 per year (range: $123,000 - $196,000), representing a +9.6% compensation difference.

What salary in Sacramento 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 $166,300 in Sacramento, due to the 17.9% higher cost of living in Sacramento.

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

Sacramento is more expensive overall. Sacramento has a Cost of Living Index of 125 compared to 106 for Tampa-St. Petersburg. Housing is 29% more expensive in Sacramento (median 1-bed: $1,750/mo vs $1,600/mo in Tampa-St. Petersburg).

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

Sacramento has a higher state/local tax rate (9.3% 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 Sacramento has an estimated rate of 9.3%.

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

The median 1-bedroom apartment rent in Tampa-St. Petersburg is approximately $1,600/month, compared to $1,750/month in Sacramento.