Salary Comparison

UX Designer Salary:
Atlanta, GA vs Phoenix, AZ

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

Atlanta, GA
$121,840
/ year
+7%
difference
Phoenix, AZ
$113,969
/ year
Bottom line: Phoenix offers better purchasing power despite Atlanta paying more gross. How is this calculated? โ†’
Metric
Atlanta
Phoenix
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$121,840โœ“ higher
$113,969
Entry Level
0โ€“2 years experience
$78,793โœ“ higher
$73,703
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$188,404โœ“ higher
$176,233
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$84,250โœ“ higher
$79,500
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$116,038
$117,494โœ“ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.05ร—
0.97ร—โœ“ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$78,793โœ“ higher
$73,703
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$188,404โœ“ higher
$176,233

What if you move from Atlanta to Phoenix?

Gross salary change
$7,871
7% decrease
Take-home change
$4,750
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$1,456
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

Atlanta, GA$121,840
P10: $78,793Median: $121,840P90: $188,404
Phoenix, AZ$113,969
P10: $73,703Median: $113,969P90: $176,233

Frequently Asked Questions

โ–ถDoes a UX Designer earn more in Atlanta or Phoenix?

The median UX Designer salary in Atlanta, GA is $121,840/yr compared to $113,969/yr in Phoenix, AZ. Atlanta pays 7% more in gross terms.

โ–ถIs a UX Designer salary worth more in Atlanta or Phoenix 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 $117,494/yr for Phoenix. Phoenix offers stronger real purchasing power.

โ–ถWhat is the take-home pay for a UX Designer in Atlanta vs Phoenix?

After estimated taxes, a UX Designer in Atlanta, GA takes home approximately $84,250/yr, vs $79,500/yr in Phoenix, AZ. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.