Salary Comparison

UX Researcher Salary:
Chicago, IL vs Houston, TX

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

Chicago, IL
$132,439
/ year
+15%
difference
Houston, TX
$115,055
/ year
Bottom line: Houston offers better purchasing power despite Chicago paying more gross. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Chicago
Houston
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$132,439✓ higher
$115,055
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$85,648✓ higher
$74,406
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$204,794✓ higher
$177,912
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$90,646✓ higher
$80,155
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$115,164
$117,403✓ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.15×
0.98×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$85,648✓ higher
$74,406
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$204,794✓ higher
$177,912

What if you move from Chicago to Houston?

Gross salary change
$17,384
15% decrease
Take-home change
$10,491
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$2,239
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

Chicago, IL$132,439
P10: $85,648Median: $132,439P90: $204,794
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 Chicago or Houston?

The median UX Researcher salary in Chicago, IL is $132,439/yr compared to $115,055/yr in Houston, TX. Chicago pays 15% more in gross terms.

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

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Chicago salary has the purchasing power of $115,164/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 Chicago vs Houston?

After estimated taxes, a UX Researcher in Chicago, IL takes home approximately $90,646/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.