Salary Comparison

UX Designer Salary:
Boston, MA vs Philadelphia, PA

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

Boston, MA
$155,566
/ year
+27%
difference
Philadelphia, PA
$122,835
/ year
Bottom line: Philadelphia offers better purchasing power despite Boston paying more gross. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Boston
Philadelphia
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$155,566✓ higher
$122,835
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$100,604✓ higher
$79,437
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$240,555✓ higher
$189,943
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$104,604✓ higher
$84,850
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$111,119
$113,736✓ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.40×
1.08×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$100,604✓ higher
$79,437
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$240,555✓ higher
$189,943

What if you move from Boston to Philadelphia?

Gross salary change
$32,731
27% decrease
Take-home change
$19,754
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$2,617
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
Philadelphia, PA$122,835
P10: $79,437Median: $122,835P90: $189,943

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

The median UX Designer salary in Boston, MA is $155,566/yr compared to $122,835/yr in Philadelphia, PA. Boston pays 27% more in gross terms.

▶Is a UX Designer salary worth more in Boston or Philadelphia 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 $113,736/yr for Philadelphia. Philadelphia offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a UX Designer in Boston, MA takes home approximately $104,604/yr, vs $84,850/yr in Philadelphia, PA. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.