Data Analyst Pay

San Jose vs Santa Clarita: Data Analyst Salary (2026)

Compare data analyst salaries between San Jose, CA and Santa Clarita, CA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

San Jose, CA
$123,758
$59.50/hr
Santa Clarita, CA
$74,434
$35.78/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSan Jose, CASanta Clarita, CA
Median Salary$123,758$74,434
Hourly Rate$59.50$35.78
Entry Level (P10)$73,380$43,171
25th Percentile$100,013$53,592
75th Percentile$146,746$95,275
Top Earner (P90)$189,128$115,372
Total Employed6,06041
Side-by-side bar chart comparing San Jose ($123,758) and Santa Clarita ($74,434) data analyst salaries.San JoseSanta ClaritaMedian Salary$123,758$74,434Entry Level (P10)$73,380$43,171Top Earner (P90)$189,128$115,372US Median $80,394

Verdict

San Jose, CA offers better overall compensation for data analysts, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Santa Clarita.

The salary gap between San Jose and Santa Clarita is $49,324 (66.27%). San Jose's median is +53.94% compared to the US national median of $80,394.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in San Jose spans $115,748,Santa Clarita spans $72,201. San Jose has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

San Jose
P10 (Entry)$73,380
P25$100,013
Median$123,758
P75$146,746
P90 (Top)$189,128
Santa Clarita
P10 (Entry)$43,171
P25$53,592
Median$74,434
P75$95,275
P90 (Top)$115,372

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, San Jose ($112,076 effective) pays 70.30% more than Santa Clarita ($65,813 effective).

San Jose
Nominal: $123,758
CoL Index: 110.423
Adjusted: $112,076
Santa Clarita
Nominal: $74,434
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $65,813

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose San Jose if…

  • Higher median salary ($123,758/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($189,128)
  • Larger job market (6,060 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $112,076)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose Santa Clarita if…

  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, data analyst salaries in San Jose grew -27.4% from 2021 to 2025, compared to -60.2% growth in Santa Clarita over the same period.

San Jose, CA

+-27.4%

$163,230 (2021) → $118,451 (2025)

Santa Clarita, CA

+-60.2%

$179,112 (2024) → $71,242 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays data analysts more: San Jose or Santa Clarita?

San Jose has a higher median data analyst salary at $123,758/year, compared to Santa Clarita at $74,434/year — a difference of $49,324 (66.27%).

What is the hourly rate difference between San Jose and Santa Clarita?

San Jose data analysts earn $59.50/hr while Santa Clarita hygienists earn $35.78/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from San Jose to Santa Clarita as a data analyst?

Consider more than just salary when comparing San Jose and Santa Clarita. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: San Jose = $112,076, Santa Clarita = $65,813), job availability (6,060 vs 41 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level data analysts earn in San Jose vs Santa Clarita?

Entry-level (10th percentile) data analysts earn $73,380 in San Jose and $43,171 in Santa Clarita. The San Jose area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

AP

Written by Aisha Patel, MA, Certified Data Analyst

Career Analyst

Aisha has 10 years of experience in data analysis. She specializes in business intelligence and works at a tech consulting firm.

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 4.48% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Aisha Patel, MA, Certified Data Analyst, a licensed data analyst with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov