Salary Comparison

UX Designer Salary:
Los Angeles, CA vs New York, NY

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

Los Angeles, CA
$160,123
/ year
-1%
difference
New York, NY
$162,225
/ year
Bottom line: Los Angeles offers better purchasing power (your money goes further) even if gross salary differs. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Los Angeles
New York
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$160,123
$162,225✓ higher
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$103,551
$104,910✓ higher
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$247,602
$250,852✓ higher
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$107,354
$108,622✓ higher
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$116,031✓ higher
$111,879
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.38×✓ lower
1.45×
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$103,551
$104,910✓ higher
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$247,602
$250,852✓ higher

What if you move from Los Angeles to New York?

Gross salary change
+$2,102
1% increase
Take-home change
+$1,268
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
$4,152
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
New York, NY$162,225
P10: $104,910Median: $162,225P90: $250,852

More UX Designer salary comparisons

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

The median UX Designer salary in Los Angeles, CA is $160,123/yr compared to $162,225/yr in New York, NY. New York pays 1% more in gross terms.

▶Is a UX Designer salary worth more in Los Angeles or New York 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 $111,879/yr for New York. Los Angeles offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a UX Designer in Los Angeles, CA takes home approximately $107,354/yr, vs $108,622/yr in New York, NY. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.