Salary Comparison

UX Designer Salary:
Austin, TX vs Los Angeles, CA

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

Austin, TX
$129,485
/ year
-19%
difference
Los Angeles, CA
$160,123
/ year
Bottom line: Los Angeles wins on all three metrics — higher salary, more take-home pay, and greater purchasing power. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Austin
Los Angeles
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$129,485
$160,123✓ higher
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$83,737
$103,551✓ higher
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$200,226
$247,602✓ higher
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$88,864
$107,354✓ higher
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$115,612
$116,031✓ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.12×✓ lower
1.38×
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$83,737
$103,551✓ higher
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$200,226
$247,602✓ higher

What if you move from Austin to Los Angeles?

Gross salary change
+$30,638
19% increase
Take-home change
+$18,490
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$419
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
Los Angeles, CA$160,123
P10: $103,551Median: $160,123P90: $247,602

More UX Designer salary comparisons

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

Frequently Asked Questions

▶Does a UX Designer earn more in Austin or Los Angeles?

The median UX Designer salary in Austin, TX is $129,485/yr compared to $160,123/yr in Los Angeles, CA. Los Angeles pays 19% more in gross terms.

▶Is a UX Designer salary worth more in Austin or Los Angeles 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 $116,031/yr for Los Angeles. Los Angeles offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a UX Designer in Austin, TX takes home approximately $88,864/yr, vs $107,354/yr in Los Angeles, CA. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.