Salary Comparison

UX Designer Salary:
Melbourne vs Adelaide

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

Melbourne
$121,588
/ year
+26%
difference
Adelaide
$96,300
/ year
Bottom line: Melbourne wins on all three metrics — higher salary, more take-home pay, and greater purchasing power. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Melbourne
Adelaide
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$121,588✓ higher
$96,300
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$78,630✓ higher
$62,277
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$188,014✓ higher
$148,911
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$82,680✓ higher
$65,484
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$97,270✓ higher
$96,300
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.25×
1.00×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$119,518✓ higher
$94,661
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$285,781✓ higher
$226,345

What if you move from Melbourne to Adelaide?

Gross salary change
$25,288
26% decrease
Take-home change
$17,196
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
$970
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

Melbourne$121,588
P10: $119,518Median: $121,588P90: $285,781
Adelaide$96,300
P10: $94,661Median: $96,300P90: $226,345

More UX Designer salary comparisons

Melbourne vs SydneyMelbourne vs BrisbaneMelbourne vs PerthAll UX Designer salaries →

Frequently Asked Questions

▶Does a UX Designer earn more in Melbourne or Adelaide?

The median UX Designer salary in Melbourne is A$184,814/yr compared to A$146,376/yr in Adelaide. Melbourne pays 26% more in gross terms.

▶Is a UX Designer salary worth more in Melbourne or Adelaide after cost of living?

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Melbourne salary has the purchasing power of $97,270/yr in a median-cost city, vs $96,300/yr for Adelaide. Melbourne offers stronger real purchasing power.

▶What is the take-home pay for a UX Designer in Melbourne vs Adelaide?

After estimated taxes, a UX Designer in Melbourne takes home approximately $82,680/yr, vs $65,484/yr in Adelaide. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.