Salary Comparison
Data Scientists: Rochester vs Tacoma
Side-by-side salary, take-home pay, cost of living, and lifestyle score.
Rochester, MN
$104,206/yr
Tacoma, WA
$157,290/yr
Our recommendation: Tacoma, WA
Tacoma offers $2,862 more per month in disposable income, giving a stronger financial outcome despite comparable pay.
Full Breakdown
Rochester
Tacoma
Diff (A−B)
Annual Gross Salary
$104,206
$157,290
$53,084
A vs B
Monthly Take-Home
After estimated federal + state taxes
$6,339
$9,569
$3,230
A vs B
Cost of Living Index
Lower is more affordable. US avg = 100
89
103
-14 pts
A vs B
Monthly Living Costs
Housing, food, transport, utilities, healthcare
$2,402
$2,770
$368
A vs B
Monthly Rent
$1,350
$1,620
$270
A vs B
Monthly Disposable
$3,937
$6,799
$2,862
A vs B
Purchasing Power Score
Take-home ÷ living costs. Higher is better
2.64×
3.45×
-0.81×
A vs B
Lifestyle Score
9/10 (Comfortable)
10/10 (Comfortable)
-1
A vs B
Rochester — Full Details
Tacoma — Full Details
Salary estimates based on BLS metro data. Cost of living from regional price indices. All figures are estimates; verify with employers before making decisions.