Best Cities for Data Scientists in Pennsylvania
Ranked by affordability — cost of living, rent, and net income on a $100,000 salary
Pennsylvania has 15 metro areas with full cost-of-living data. For data scientists earning around $100,000 annually, Johnstown stands out as the most affordable option with a cost-of-living index of 47.2 and $70,669 left after taxes and rent. 14 cities in Pennsylvania sit below the national average cost of living, giving data scientists more purchasing power per dollar earned. Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton is the priciest metro at 98.9 on the index, 52 points above Johnstown.
City Rankings by Affordability
Full Comparison Table
| # | City | COL Index | 2BR Rent/mo |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Johnstown | 47.2 | $1,035 |
| 2 | Altoona | 53.0 | $1,138 |
| 3 | Erie | 61.6 | $1,212 |
| 4 | Gettysburg | 64.4 | $1,374 |
| 5 | Williamsport | 66.8 | $1,195 |
| 6 | Scranton--Wilkes-Barre | 68.9 | $1,252 |
| 7 | Chambersburg | 70.6 | $1,379 |
| 8 | State College | 72.5 | $1,406 |
| 9 | Pittsburgh | 72.6 | $1,299 |
| 10 | Lebanon | 77.9 | $1,411 |
| 11 | Reading | 82.7 | $1,575 |
| 12 | Lancaster | 85.0 | $1,526 |
| 13 | Harrisburg-Carlisle | 85.7 | $1,493 |
| 14 | York-Hanover | 86.9 | $1,335 |
| 15 | Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton | 98.9 | $1,634 |
Net income = $100,000 salary − federal & Pennsylvania state taxes − annual 2BR rent. COL index: national avg = 100.
How We Rank Cities
Cities are ranked by the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, where 100 equals the national average. A lower score means your money goes further. Net income is calculated using a benchmark $100,000 salary for data scientists who analyze data and build predictive models, after applying 2026 federal and Pennsylvania state income tax brackets and subtracting HUD Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom apartment. Purchasing power adjusts net income for local price levels.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most affordable city in Pennsylvania for data scientists?
Johnstown is the most affordable city in Pennsylvania for data scientists, with a cost-of-living index of 47.2 (national average = 100). On a $100,000 salary, you'd have approximately $70,669 after taxes and rent for a 2-bedroom apartment.
How much do data scientists earn in Pennsylvania?
Data Scientists in Pennsylvania earn around $100,000 per year on average. After federal and state taxes, and typical 2-bedroom rent costs (averaging $16,212 per year across the state), take-home spending money varies significantly by city—making location a critical factor.
How does cost of living vary across Pennsylvania cities?
Across 15 metro areas in Pennsylvania, the average cost-of-living index is 73 (national average = 100). The most affordable metro is Johnstown at 47.2, while Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton is the most expensive at 98.9—a difference of 52 index points.
Other Rankings in Pennsylvania
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