Salary Comparison

UX Designer Salary:
Boston, MA vs Chicago, IL

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

Boston, MA
$145,232
/ year
+17%
difference
Chicago, IL
$124,357
/ year
Bottom line: Chicago offers better purchasing power despite Boston paying more gross. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Boston
Chicago
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$145,232✓ higher
$124,357
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$93,921✓ higher
$80,421
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$224,576✓ higher
$192,296
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$98,367✓ higher
$85,769
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$103,737
$108,137✓ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.40×
1.15×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$93,921✓ higher
$80,421
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$224,576✓ higher
$192,296

What if you move from Boston to Chicago?

Gross salary change
$20,875
17% decrease
Take-home change
$12,598
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$4,400
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
Chicago, IL$124,357
P10: $80,421Median: $124,357P90: $192,296

More UX Designer salary comparisons

Boston vs New YorkBoston vs Los AngelesBoston vs HoustonBoston vs PhoenixBoston vs PhiladelphiaBoston vs San AntonioAll UX Designer salaries →

Frequently Asked Questions

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

The median UX Designer salary in Boston, MA is $145,232/yr compared to $124,357/yr in Chicago, IL. Boston pays 17% more in gross terms.

▶Is a UX Designer salary worth more in Boston or Chicago 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 $108,137/yr for Chicago. Chicago offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a UX Designer in Boston, MA takes home approximately $98,367/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.