Salary Comparison

UX Designer Salary:
London vs Los Angeles, CA

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

London
$115,246
/ year
-28%
difference
Los Angeles, CA
$160,123
/ year
Bottom line: Los Angeles wins on all three metrics โ€” higher salary, more take-home pay, and greater purchasing power. How is this calculated? โ†’
Metric
London
Los Angeles
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$115,246
$160,123โœ“ higher
Entry Level
0โ€“2 years experience
$74,529
$103,551โœ“ higher
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$178,208
$247,602โœ“ higher
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$78,367
$107,354โœ“ higher
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$76,831
$116,031โœ“ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.50ร—
1.38ร—โœ“ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$58,878
$103,551โœ“ higher
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$140,784
$247,602โœ“ higher

What if you move from London to Los Angeles?

Gross salary change
+$44,877
28% increase
Take-home change
+$28,987
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$39,200
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 1.00ร—). Full methodology โ†’

Salary Range Comparison

London$115,246
P10: $58,878Median: $115,246P90: $140,784
Los Angeles, CA$160,123
P10: $103,551Median: $160,123P90: $247,602

Frequently Asked Questions

โ–ถDoes a UX Designer earn more in London or Los Angeles?

The median UX Designer salary in London is ยฃ91,044/yr compared to $160,123/yr in Los Angeles, CA. Los Angeles pays 28% more in gross terms.

โ–ถIs a UX Designer salary worth more in London or Los Angeles after cost of living?

After adjusting for local cost of living, your London salary has the purchasing power of $76,831/yr in a median-cost city, vs $116,031/yr for Los Angeles. Los Angeles offers stronger real purchasing power.

โ–ถWhat is the take-home pay for a UX Designer in London vs Los Angeles?

After estimated taxes, a UX Designer in London takes home approximately $78,367/yr, vs $107,354/yr in Los Angeles, CA. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.