Salary Comparison

UX Researcher Salary:
Atlanta, GA vs Houston, TX

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

Atlanta, GA
$121,385
/ year
+6%
difference
Houston, TX
$115,055
/ year
Bottom line: Houston offers better purchasing power despite Atlanta paying more gross. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Atlanta
Houston
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$121,385✓ higher
$115,055
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$78,499✓ higher
$74,406
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$187,700✓ higher
$177,912
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$83,975✓ higher
$80,155
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$115,605
$117,403✓ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.05×
0.98×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$78,499✓ higher
$74,406
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$187,700✓ higher
$177,912

What if you move from Atlanta to Houston?

Gross salary change
$6,330
6% decrease
Take-home change
$3,820
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$1,798
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

Atlanta, GA$121,385
P10: $78,499Median: $121,385P90: $187,700
Houston, TX$115,055
P10: $74,406Median: $115,055P90: $177,912

More UX Researcher salary comparisons

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Frequently Asked Questions

▶Does a UX Researcher earn more in Atlanta or Houston?

The median UX Researcher salary in Atlanta, GA is $121,385/yr compared to $115,055/yr in Houston, TX. Atlanta pays 6% more in gross terms.

▶Is a UX Researcher salary worth more in Atlanta or Houston after cost of living?

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Atlanta salary has the purchasing power of $115,605/yr in a median-cost city, vs $117,403/yr for Houston. Houston offers stronger real purchasing power.

▶What is the take-home pay for a UX Researcher in Atlanta vs Houston?

After estimated taxes, a UX Researcher in Atlanta, GA takes home approximately $83,975/yr, vs $80,155/yr in Houston, TX. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.