Salary Comparison

UX Designer Salary:
Chicago, IL vs Melbourne

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

Chicago, IL
$133,281
/ year
+10%
difference
Melbourne
$121,588
/ year
Bottom line: Chicago wins on all three metrics — higher salary, more take-home pay, and greater purchasing power. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Chicago
Melbourne
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$133,281✓ higher
$121,588
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$86,192✓ higher
$78,630
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$206,096✓ higher
$188,014
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$91,155✓ higher
$82,680
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$115,897✓ higher
$97,270
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.15×✓ lower
1.25×
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$86,192
$119,518✓ higher
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$206,096
$285,781✓ higher

What if you move from Chicago to Melbourne?

Gross salary change
$11,693
10% decrease
Take-home change
$8,475
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
$18,627
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

Chicago, IL$133,281
P10: $86,192Median: $133,281P90: $206,096
Melbourne$121,588
P10: $119,518Median: $121,588P90: $285,781

More UX Designer salary comparisons

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

The median UX Designer salary in Chicago, IL is $133,281/yr compared to A$184,814/yr in Melbourne. Chicago pays 10% more in gross terms.

▶Is a UX Designer salary worth more in Chicago or Melbourne after cost of living?

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Chicago salary has the purchasing power of $115,897/yr in a median-cost city, vs $97,270/yr for Melbourne. Chicago offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a UX Designer in Chicago, IL takes home approximately $91,155/yr, vs $82,680/yr in Melbourne. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.