Salary Comparison

UX Designer Salary:
Boston, MA vs Denver, CO

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

Boston, MA
$145,232
/ year
+3%
difference
Denver, CO
$141,328
/ year
Bottom line: Denver offers better purchasing power despite Boston paying more gross. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Boston
Denver
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$145,232✓ higher
$141,328
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$93,921✓ higher
$91,396
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$224,576✓ higher
$218,539
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$98,367✓ higher
$96,011
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$103,737
$123,972✓ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.40×
1.14×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$93,921✓ higher
$91,396
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$224,576✓ higher
$218,539

What if you move from Boston to Denver?

Gross salary change
$3,904
3% decrease
Take-home change
$2,356
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$20,235
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
Denver, CO$141,328
P10: $91,396Median: $141,328P90: $218,539

More UX Designer salary comparisons

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

The median UX Designer salary in Boston, MA is $145,232/yr compared to $141,328/yr in Denver, CO. Boston pays 3% more in gross terms.

▶Is a UX Designer salary worth more in Boston or Denver 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 $123,972/yr for Denver. Denver offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a UX Designer in Boston, MA takes home approximately $98,367/yr, vs $96,011/yr in Denver, CO. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.