Salary Comparison

Product Designer Salary:
Boston, MA vs Melbourne

Side-by-side gross salary, after-tax take-home pay, and purchasing power comparison. Updated June 2026.

Boston, MA
$168,358
/ year
+27%
difference
Melbourne
$132,901
/ year
Bottom line: Boston wins on all three metrics โ€” higher salary, more take-home pay, and greater purchasing power. How is this calculated? โ†’
Metric
Boston
Melbourne
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$168,358โœ“ higher
$132,901
Entry Level
0โ€“2 years experience
$108,876โœ“ higher
$85,946
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$260,336โœ“ higher
$205,508
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$112,324โœ“ higher
$90,373
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$120,256โœ“ higher
$106,321
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.40ร—
1.25ร—โœ“ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$108,876
$130,638โœ“ higher
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$260,336
$312,372โœ“ higher

What if you move from Boston to Melbourne?

Gross salary change
$35,457
27% decrease
Take-home change
$21,951
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
$13,935
equivalent real income

Take-home pay is estimated using 2024 US federal tax brackets (single filer) + 7.65% FICA, or a blended international effective rate. Purchasing power converts gross salary to an equivalent in a US median cost-of-living city (index 1.00ร—). Full methodology โ†’

Salary Range Comparison

Boston, MA$168,358
P10: $108,876Median: $168,358P90: $260,336
Melbourne$132,901
P10: $130,638Median: $132,901P90: $312,372

Frequently Asked Questions

โ–ถDoes a Product Designer earn more in Boston or Melbourne?

The median Product Designer salary in Boston, MA is $168,358/yr compared to A$202,010/yr in Melbourne. Boston pays 27% more in gross terms.

โ–ถIs a Product Designer salary worth more in Boston or Melbourne after cost of living?

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Boston salary has the purchasing power of $120,256/yr in a median-cost city, vs $106,321/yr for Melbourne. Boston offers stronger real purchasing power.

โ–ถWhat is the take-home pay for a Product Designer in Boston vs Melbourne?

After estimated taxes, a Product Designer in Boston, MA takes home approximately $112,324/yr, vs $90,373/yr in Melbourne. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.