Salary Comparison

UX Designer Salary:
Chicago, IL vs San Antonio, TX

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

Chicago, IL
$133,281
/ year
+32%
difference
San Antonio, TX
$100,792
/ 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
San Antonio
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$133,281✓ higher
$100,792
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$86,192✓ higher
$65,182
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$206,096✓ higher
$155,857
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$91,155✓ higher
$71,547
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$115,897✓ higher
$114,536
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.15×
0.88×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$86,192✓ higher
$65,182
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$206,096✓ higher
$155,857

What if you move from Chicago to San Antonio?

Gross salary change
$32,489
32% decrease
Take-home change
$19,608
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
$1,361
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
San Antonio, TX$100,792
P10: $65,182Median: $100,792P90: $155,857

More UX Designer salary comparisons

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Frequently Asked Questions

▶Does a UX Designer earn more in Chicago or San Antonio?

The median UX Designer salary in Chicago, IL is $133,281/yr compared to $100,792/yr in San Antonio, TX. Chicago pays 32% more in gross terms.

▶Is a UX Designer salary worth more in Chicago or San Antonio 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 $114,536/yr for San Antonio. Chicago offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a UX Designer in Chicago, IL takes home approximately $91,155/yr, vs $71,547/yr in San Antonio, TX. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.