Salary Comparison

UX Designer Salary:
Chicago, IL vs Phoenix, AZ

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

Chicago, IL
$133,281
/ year
+17%
difference
Phoenix, AZ
$113,969
/ year
Bottom line: Phoenix offers better purchasing power despite Chicago paying more gross. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Chicago
Phoenix
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$133,281✓ higher
$113,969
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$86,192✓ higher
$73,703
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$206,096✓ higher
$176,233
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$91,155✓ higher
$79,500
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$115,897
$117,494✓ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.15×
0.97×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$86,192✓ higher
$73,703
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$206,096✓ higher
$176,233

What if you move from Chicago to Phoenix?

Gross salary change
$19,312
17% decrease
Take-home change
$11,655
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$1,597
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
Phoenix, AZ$113,969
P10: $73,703Median: $113,969P90: $176,233

More UX Designer salary comparisons

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

The median UX Designer salary in Chicago, IL is $133,281/yr compared to $113,969/yr in Phoenix, AZ. Chicago pays 17% more in gross terms.

▶Is a UX Designer salary worth more in Chicago or Phoenix 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 $117,494/yr for Phoenix. Phoenix offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a UX Designer in Chicago, IL takes home approximately $91,155/yr, vs $79,500/yr in Phoenix, AZ. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.