Salary Comparison

UX Designer Salary:
Los Angeles, CA vs Houston, TX

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

Los Angeles, CA
$160,123
/ year
+46%
difference
Houston, TX
$109,576
/ year
Bottom line: Los Angeles wins on all three metrics — higher salary, more take-home pay, and greater purchasing power. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Los Angeles
Houston
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$160,123✓ higher
$109,576
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$103,551✓ higher
$70,862
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$247,602✓ higher
$169,440
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$107,354✓ higher
$76,849
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$116,031✓ higher
$111,812
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.38×
0.98×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$103,551✓ higher
$70,862
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$247,602✓ higher
$169,440

What if you move from Los Angeles to Houston?

Gross salary change
$50,547
46% decrease
Take-home change
$30,505
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
$4,219
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

Los Angeles, CA$160,123
P10: $103,551Median: $160,123P90: $247,602
Houston, TX$109,576
P10: $70,862Median: $109,576P90: $169,440

More UX Designer salary comparisons

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Frequently Asked Questions

▶Does a UX Designer earn more in Los Angeles or Houston?

The median UX Designer salary in Los Angeles, CA is $160,123/yr compared to $109,576/yr in Houston, TX. Los Angeles pays 46% more in gross terms.

▶Is a UX Designer salary worth more in Los Angeles or Houston after cost of living?

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Los Angeles salary has the purchasing power of $116,031/yr in a median-cost city, vs $111,812/yr for Houston. Los Angeles offers stronger real purchasing power.

▶What is the take-home pay for a UX Designer in Los Angeles vs Houston?

After estimated taxes, a UX Designer in Los Angeles, CA takes home approximately $107,354/yr, vs $76,849/yr in Houston, TX. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.