Salary Comparison

UX Designer Salary:
Austin, TX vs Atlanta, GA

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

Austin, TX
$129,485
/ year
+6%
difference
Atlanta, GA
$121,840
/ year
Bottom line: Atlanta offers better purchasing power despite Austin paying more gross. How is this calculated? โ†’
Metric
Austin
Atlanta
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$129,485โœ“ higher
$121,840
Entry Level
0โ€“2 years experience
$83,737โœ“ higher
$78,793
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$200,226โœ“ higher
$188,404
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$88,864โœ“ higher
$84,250
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$115,612
$116,038โœ“ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.12ร—
1.05ร—โœ“ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$83,737โœ“ higher
$78,793
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$200,226โœ“ higher
$188,404

What if you move from Austin to Atlanta?

Gross salary change
$7,645
6% decrease
Take-home change
$4,614
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$426
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

Austin, TX$129,485
P10: $83,737Median: $129,485P90: $200,226
Atlanta, GA$121,840
P10: $78,793Median: $121,840P90: $188,404

Frequently Asked Questions

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

The median UX Designer salary in Austin, TX is $129,485/yr compared to $121,840/yr in Atlanta, GA. Austin pays 6% more in gross terms.

โ–ถIs a UX Designer salary worth more in Austin or Atlanta after cost of living?

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Austin salary has the purchasing power of $115,612/yr in a median-cost city, vs $116,038/yr for Atlanta. Atlanta offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a UX Designer in Austin, TX takes home approximately $88,864/yr, vs $84,250/yr in Atlanta, GA. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.