Salary Comparison

UX Designer Salary:
Austin, TX vs Boston, MA

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

Austin, TX
$129,485
/ year
-17%
difference
Boston, MA
$155,566
/ year
Bottom line: Austin offers better purchasing power (your money goes further) even if gross salary differs. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Austin
Boston
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$129,485
$155,566✓ higher
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$83,737
$100,604✓ higher
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$200,226
$240,555✓ higher
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$88,864
$104,604✓ higher
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$115,612✓ higher
$111,119
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.12×✓ lower
1.40×
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$83,737
$100,604✓ higher
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$200,226
$240,555✓ higher

What if you move from Austin to Boston?

Gross salary change
+$26,081
17% increase
Take-home change
+$15,740
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
$4,493
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

Austin, TX$129,485
P10: $83,737Median: $129,485P90: $200,226
Boston, MA$155,566
P10: $100,604Median: $155,566P90: $240,555

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Frequently Asked Questions

▶Does a UX Designer earn more in Austin or Boston?

The median UX Designer salary in Austin, TX is $129,485/yr compared to $155,566/yr in Boston, MA. Boston pays 17% more in gross terms.

▶Is a UX Designer salary worth more in Austin or Boston 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 $111,119/yr for Boston. Austin offers stronger real purchasing power.

▶What is the take-home pay for a UX Designer in Austin vs Boston?

After estimated taxes, a UX Designer in Austin, TX takes home approximately $88,864/yr, vs $104,604/yr in Boston, MA. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.