Data Analyst Pay

Los Angeles vs Vista: Data Analyst Salary (2026)

Compare data analyst salaries between Los Angeles, CA and Vista, CA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Los Angeles, CA
$86,754
$41.71/hr
Vista, CA
$74,707
$35.92/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLos Angeles, CAVista, CA
Median Salary$86,754$74,707
Hourly Rate$41.71$35.92
Entry Level (P10)$47,529$43,330
25th Percentile$61,083$53,789
75th Percentile$112,618$95,625
Top Earner (P90)$139,271$115,796
Total Employed9,85024
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Los Angeles ($86,754) and Vista ($74,707) data analyst salaries.Los AngelesVistaMedian Salary$86,754$74,707Entry Level (P10)$47,529$43,330Top Earner (P90)$139,271$115,796US Median $80,394

Verdict

Los Angeles, CA offers better overall compensation for data analysts, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Vista.

The salary gap between Los Angeles and Vista is $12,047 (16.13%). Los Angeles's median is +7.91% compared to the US national median of $80,394.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Los Angeles spans $91,742,Vista spans $72,466. Los Angeles has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Los Angeles
P10 (Entry)$47,529
P25$61,083
Median$86,754
P75$112,618
P90 (Top)$139,271
Vista
P10 (Entry)$43,330
P25$53,789
Median$74,707
P75$95,625
P90 (Top)$115,796

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Los Angeles ($76,391 effective) pays 15.65% more than Vista ($66,054 effective).

Los Angeles
Nominal: $86,754
CoL Index: 113.566
Adjusted: $76,391
Vista
Nominal: $74,707
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $66,054

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Los Angeles if…

  • Higher median salary ($86,754/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($139,271)
  • Larger job market (9,850 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $76,391)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose Vista if…

  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, data analyst salaries in Los Angeles grew -29.8% from 2021 to 2025, compared to -60.2% growth in Vista over the same period.

Los Angeles, CA

+-29.8%

$118,250 (2021) → $83,034 (2025)

Vista, CA

+-60.2%

$179,771 (2024) → $71,504 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays data analysts more: Los Angeles or Vista?

Los Angeles has a higher median data analyst salary at $86,754/year, compared to Vista at $74,707/year — a difference of $12,047 (16.13%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Los Angeles and Vista?

Los Angeles data analysts earn $41.71/hr while Vista hygienists earn $35.92/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Los Angeles to Vista as a data analyst?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Los Angeles and Vista. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Los Angeles = $76,391, Vista = $66,054), job availability (9,850 vs 24 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level data analysts earn in Los Angeles vs Vista?

Entry-level (10th percentile) data analysts earn $47,529 in Los Angeles and $43,330 in Vista. The Los Angeles 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