Salary Comparison

UX Researcher Salary:
Austin, TX vs Chicago, IL

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

Austin, TX
$130,263
/ year
-2%
difference
Chicago, IL
$132,439
/ year
Bottom line: Austin offers better purchasing power (your money goes further) even if gross salary differs. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Austin
Chicago
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$130,263
$132,439✓ higher
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$84,240
$85,648✓ higher
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$201,429
$204,794✓ higher
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$89,333
$90,646✓ higher
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$116,306✓ higher
$115,164
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.12×✓ lower
1.15×
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$84,240
$85,648✓ higher
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$201,429
$204,794✓ higher

What if you move from Austin to Chicago?

Gross salary change
+$2,176
2% increase
Take-home change
+$1,313
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
$1,142
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

Austin, TX$130,263
P10: $84,240Median: $130,263P90: $201,429
Chicago, IL$132,439
P10: $85,648Median: $132,439P90: $204,794

More UX Researcher salary comparisons

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Frequently Asked Questions

▶Does a UX Researcher earn more in Austin or Chicago?

The median UX Researcher salary in Austin, TX is $130,263/yr compared to $132,439/yr in Chicago, IL. Chicago pays 2% more in gross terms.

▶Is a UX Researcher salary worth more in Austin or Chicago after cost of living?

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Austin salary has the purchasing power of $116,306/yr in a median-cost city, vs $115,164/yr for Chicago. Austin offers stronger real purchasing power.

▶What is the take-home pay for a UX Researcher in Austin vs Chicago?

After estimated taxes, a UX Researcher in Austin, TX takes home approximately $89,333/yr, vs $90,646/yr in Chicago, IL. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.