Salary Comparison

UX Designer Salary:
Los Angeles, CA vs San Antonio, TX

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

Los Angeles, CA
$160,123
/ year
+59%
difference
San Antonio, TX
$100,792
/ 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
Los Angeles
San Antonio
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$160,123โœ“ higher
$100,792
Entry Level
0โ€“2 years experience
$103,551โœ“ higher
$65,182
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$247,602โœ“ higher
$155,857
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$107,354โœ“ higher
$71,547
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$116,031โœ“ higher
$114,536
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.38ร—
0.88ร—โœ“ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$103,551โœ“ higher
$65,182
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$247,602โœ“ higher
$155,857

What if you move from Los Angeles to San Antonio?

Gross salary change
$59,331
59% decrease
Take-home change
$35,807
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
$1,495
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

Los Angeles, CA$160,123
P10: $103,551Median: $160,123P90: $247,602
San Antonio, TX$100,792
P10: $65,182Median: $100,792P90: $155,857

Frequently Asked Questions

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

The median UX Designer salary in Los Angeles, CA is $160,123/yr compared to $100,792/yr in San Antonio, TX. Los Angeles pays 59% more in gross terms.

โ–ถIs a UX Designer salary worth more in Los Angeles or San Antonio 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 $114,536/yr for San Antonio. Los Angeles offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a UX Designer in Los Angeles, CA takes home approximately $107,354/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.