Salary Comparison

UX Designer Salary:
Boston, MA vs New York, NY

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

Boston, MA
$155,566
/ year
-4%
difference
New York, NY
$162,225
/ year
Bottom line: New York wins on all three metrics — higher salary, more take-home pay, and greater purchasing power. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Boston
New York
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$155,566
$162,225✓ higher
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$100,604
$104,910✓ higher
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$240,555
$250,852✓ higher
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$104,604
$108,622✓ higher
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$111,119
$111,879✓ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.40×✓ lower
1.45×
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$100,604
$104,910✓ higher
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$240,555
$250,852✓ higher

What if you move from Boston to New York?

Gross salary change
+$6,659
4% increase
Take-home change
+$4,018
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$760
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$155,566
P10: $100,604Median: $155,566P90: $240,555
New York, NY$162,225
P10: $104,910Median: $162,225P90: $250,852

More UX Designer salary comparisons

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

Frequently Asked Questions

▶Does a UX Designer earn more in Boston or New York?

The median UX Designer salary in Boston, MA is $155,566/yr compared to $162,225/yr in New York, NY. New York pays 4% more in gross terms.

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

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Boston salary has the purchasing power of $111,119/yr in a median-cost city, vs $111,879/yr for New York. New York offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a UX Designer in Boston, MA takes home approximately $104,604/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.