Salary Comparison

UX Designer Salary:
Austin, TX vs New York, NY

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

Austin, TX
$129,485
/ year
-20%
difference
New York, NY
$162,225
/ year
Bottom line: Austin offers better purchasing power (your money goes further) even if gross salary differs. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Austin
New York
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$129,485
$162,225✓ higher
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$83,737
$104,910✓ higher
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$200,226
$250,852✓ higher
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$88,864
$108,622✓ higher
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$115,612✓ higher
$111,879
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.12×✓ lower
1.45×
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$83,737
$104,910✓ higher
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$200,226
$250,852✓ higher

What if you move from Austin to New York?

Gross salary change
+$32,740
20% increase
Take-home change
+$19,758
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
$3,733
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
New York, NY$162,225
P10: $104,910Median: $162,225P90: $250,852

More UX Designer salary comparisons

Austin vs Los AngelesAustin 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 New York?

The median UX Designer salary in Austin, TX is $129,485/yr compared to $162,225/yr in New York, NY. New York pays 20% more in gross terms.

▶Is a UX Designer salary worth more in Austin or New York 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 $111,879/yr for New York. Austin offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a UX Designer in Austin, TX takes home approximately $88,864/yr, vs $108,622/yr in New York, NY. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.