Salary Comparison

UX Designer Salary:
Atlanta, GA vs Houston, TX

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

Atlanta, GA
$121,840
/ year
+11%
difference
Houston, TX
$109,576
/ year
Bottom line: Atlanta wins on all three metrics — higher salary, more take-home pay, and greater purchasing power. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Atlanta
Houston
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$121,840✓ higher
$109,576
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$78,793✓ higher
$70,862
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$188,404✓ higher
$169,440
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$84,250✓ higher
$76,849
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$116,038✓ higher
$111,812
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.05×
0.98×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$78,793✓ higher
$70,862
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$188,404✓ higher
$169,440

What if you move from Atlanta to Houston?

Gross salary change
$12,264
11% decrease
Take-home change
$7,401
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
$4,226
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 1.00×). Full methodology →

Salary Range Comparison

Atlanta, GA$121,840
P10: $78,793Median: $121,840P90: $188,404
Houston, TX$109,576
P10: $70,862Median: $109,576P90: $169,440

More UX Designer salary comparisons

Atlanta vs New YorkAtlanta vs Los AngelesAtlanta vs ChicagoAtlanta vs PhoenixAtlanta vs PhiladelphiaAtlanta vs San AntonioAll UX Designer salaries →

Frequently Asked Questions

▶Does a UX Designer earn more in Atlanta or Houston?

The median UX Designer salary in Atlanta, GA is $121,840/yr compared to $109,576/yr in Houston, TX. Atlanta pays 11% more in gross terms.

▶Is a UX Designer salary worth more in Atlanta or Houston after cost of living?

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Atlanta salary has the purchasing power of $116,038/yr in a median-cost city, vs $111,812/yr for Houston. Atlanta offers stronger real purchasing power.

▶What is the take-home pay for a UX Designer in Atlanta vs Houston?

After estimated taxes, a UX Designer in Atlanta, GA takes home approximately $84,250/yr, vs $76,849/yr in Houston, TX. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.