Salary Comparison

UX Designer Salary:
Boston, MA vs Atlanta, GA

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

Boston, MA
$145,232
/ year
+25%
difference
Atlanta, GA
$116,502
/ year
Bottom line: Atlanta offers better purchasing power despite Boston paying more gross. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Boston
Atlanta
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$145,232✓ higher
$116,502
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$93,921✓ higher
$75,341
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$224,576✓ higher
$180,150
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$98,367✓ higher
$81,028
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$103,737
$110,954✓ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.40×
1.05×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$93,921✓ higher
$75,341
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$224,576✓ higher
$180,150

What if you move from Boston to Atlanta?

Gross salary change
$28,730
25% decrease
Take-home change
$17,339
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$7,217
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

Boston, MA$145,232
P10: $93,921Median: $145,232P90: $224,576
Atlanta, GA$116,502
P10: $75,341Median: $116,502P90: $180,150

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

The median UX Designer salary in Boston, MA is $145,232/yr compared to $116,502/yr in Atlanta, GA. Boston pays 25% more in gross terms.

▶Is a UX Designer salary worth more in Boston or Atlanta after cost of living?

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Boston salary has the purchasing power of $103,737/yr in a median-cost city, vs $110,954/yr for Atlanta. Atlanta offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a UX Designer in Boston, MA takes home approximately $98,367/yr, vs $81,028/yr in Atlanta, GA. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.