Salary Comparison

UX Designer Salary:
Los Angeles, CA vs San Diego, CA

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

Los Angeles, CA
$160,123
/ year
+10%
difference
San Diego, CA
$145,750
/ 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
San Diego
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$160,123✓ higher
$145,750
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$103,551✓ higher
$94,256
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$247,602✓ higher
$225,377
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$107,354✓ higher
$98,680
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$116,031✓ higher
$113,867
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.38×
1.28×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$103,551✓ higher
$94,256
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$247,602✓ higher
$225,377

What if you move from Los Angeles to San Diego?

Gross salary change
$14,373
10% decrease
Take-home change
$8,674
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
$2,164
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
San Diego, CA$145,750
P10: $94,256Median: $145,750P90: $225,377

More UX Designer salary comparisons

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

The median UX Designer salary in Los Angeles, CA is $160,123/yr compared to $145,750/yr in San Diego, CA. Los Angeles pays 10% more in gross terms.

▶Is a UX Designer salary worth more in Los Angeles or San Diego 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 $113,867/yr for San Diego. Los Angeles offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a UX Designer in Los Angeles, CA takes home approximately $107,354/yr, vs $98,680/yr in San Diego, CA. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.