UX Designer · Salary Comparison · 2026
UX Designer Salary: Atlanta, GA vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for UX Designers in Atlanta, GA and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$94,000 vs $116,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Atlanta, GA
$87,037 vs $71,605
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Atlanta, GA
$76,007 vs $62,855
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $94,000 | $116,000▲ | -$22,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $72,380 | $89,320▲ | -$16,940 |
| 75th Percentile | $120,320 | $148,480▲ | -$28,160 |
| 90th Percentile | $150,400 | $185,600▲ | -$35,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 108 | 162 | -54 |
| State Income Tax | 5.49% | 5%▲ | +0.4900000000000002% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $87,037▲ | $71,605 | +$15,432 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $82,088 | $101,825▲ | -$19,737 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $76,007▲ | $62,855 | +$13,152 |
| Total Employment | 24,000 | 33,600 | -9,600 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Atlanta, GA minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $22,000 more (median: $94,000 vs $116,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 108 vs 162), Atlanta, GA provides better purchasing power ($87,037 vs $71,605 equivalent). Boston, MA has the lower state tax rate (5% vs 5.49%).
Data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS · 2026 · Cost-of-living indices from composite metro area data. Take-home estimates approximate only — consult a tax professional for accurate figures.