San Francisco pays Data Scientists 168% more than London at the mid-level band — a median of $200k vs £74k.
Estimates based on public benchmarks and modelled data. How we calculate →
San Francisco pays Data Scientists a median of $200k per year, around 168% more than London's £74k. That's roughly $125k of additional gross base pay every year for the same role at the mid-level band.
The premium narrows once you factor in cost of living, tax, and housing. London often delivers stronger real purchasing power, especially for early-career professionals — and the local market is typically less competitive.
Use the CompVerdict offer checker below to test a specific offer against either city's market. A strong offer sits above the p75; a fair offer lands near the median; below p25 there's a clear case to negotiate.
| Band | London | San Francisco | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Junior | £43k | $112k | 159% |
| Mid-level | £74k | $200k | 168% |
| Senior | £106k | $317k | 199% |
Medians shown. Gap is computed against the lower-paying city at each band.
Knowing the gap is step one. The real question is where your specific offer sits within London's or San Francisco's range. If your offer is in the bottom 30% for the role and city, there's a strong case to push back.
Use the CompVerdict tool to get your verdict instantly. No signup. You'll also get a ready-to-send negotiation script based on the local market.
Check an offer →San Francisco pays more. The median Data Scientist salary in San Francisco is $200k vs £74k in London — a 168% gap at the mid-level band. London median is £74k; San Francisco median is $200k.
At the mid-level (3–5 years experience) band, San Francisco pays 168% more than London for Data Scientists. The absolute difference is roughly $125k per year on the median. Junior and senior bands shift the gap slightly, but the direction is consistent.
Senior Data Scientists earn $317k median in San Francisco vs £106k in London. San Francisco maintains its lead at the senior band, often widening as total comp (equity, bonus) compounds with seniority. London can still close the gap when you adjust for cost of living.
No — these are gross annual base salary figures. San Francisco typically has higher living costs alongside its higher pay. To see how either salary translates into rent affordability, use SpendVerdict; for savings potential, use PathVerdict. The headline gap of 168% narrows significantly once you adjust for housing, tax, and lifestyle costs.
Compare Data Scientists to other cities
Does the higher salary cover the higher rent? SpendVerdict has the answer.
CityVerdict scores the move across cost, climate, and career.