Salary Comparison

UX Researcher Salary:
Boston, MA vs Atlanta, GA

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

Boston, MA
$147,500
/ year
+27%
difference
Atlanta, GA
$116,067
/ year
Bottom line: Atlanta offers better purchasing power despite Boston paying more gross. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Boston
Atlanta
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$147,500✓ higher
$116,067
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$95,388✓ higher
$75,060
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$228,083✓ higher
$179,477
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$99,736✓ higher
$80,766
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$105,357
$110,540✓ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.40×
1.05×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$95,388✓ higher
$75,060
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$228,083✓ higher
$179,477

What if you move from Boston to Atlanta?

Gross salary change
$31,433
27% decrease
Take-home change
$18,970
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$5,183
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

Boston, MA$147,500
P10: $95,388Median: $147,500P90: $228,083
Atlanta, GA$116,067
P10: $75,060Median: $116,067P90: $179,477

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

The median UX Researcher salary in Boston, MA is $147,500/yr compared to $116,067/yr in Atlanta, GA. Boston pays 27% more in gross terms.

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

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Boston salary has the purchasing power of $105,357/yr in a median-cost city, vs $110,540/yr for Atlanta. Atlanta offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a UX Researcher in Boston, MA takes home approximately $99,736/yr, vs $80,766/yr in Atlanta, GA. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.