Salary Comparison

UX Designer Salary:
Austin, TX vs Chicago, IL

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

Austin, TX
$129,139
/ year
+4%
difference
Chicago, IL
$124,357
/ year
Bottom line: Austin wins on all three metrics — higher salary, more take-home pay, and greater purchasing power. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Austin
Chicago
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$129,139✓ higher
$124,357
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$83,514✓ higher
$80,421
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$199,691✓ higher
$192,296
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$88,655✓ higher
$85,769
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$115,303✓ higher
$108,137
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.12×✓ lower
1.15×
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$83,514✓ higher
$80,421
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$199,691✓ higher
$192,296

What if you move from Austin to Chicago?

Gross salary change
$4,782
4% decrease
Take-home change
$2,886
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
$7,166
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$129,139
P10: $83,514Median: $129,139P90: $199,691
Chicago, IL$124,357
P10: $80,421Median: $124,357P90: $192,296

More UX Designer salary comparisons

Austin vs New YorkAustin vs Los AngelesAustin vs HoustonAustin vs PhoenixAustin vs PhiladelphiaAustin vs San AntonioAll UX Designer salaries →

Frequently Asked Questions

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

The median UX Designer salary in Austin, TX is $129,139/yr compared to $124,357/yr in Chicago, IL. Austin pays 4% more in gross terms.

▶Is a UX Designer salary worth more in Austin or Chicago after cost of living?

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Austin salary has the purchasing power of $115,303/yr in a median-cost city, vs $108,137/yr for Chicago. Austin offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a UX Designer in Austin, TX takes home approximately $88,655/yr, vs $85,769/yr in Chicago, IL. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.