UX Designer · Salary Comparison · 2026
UX Designer Salary: Atlanta, GA vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for UX Designers in Atlanta, GA and New York, NY, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$94,000 vs $126,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Atlanta, GA
$87,037 vs $67,380
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Atlanta, GA
$76,007 vs $57,994
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $94,000 | $126,000▲ | -$32,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $72,380 | $97,020▲ | -$24,640 |
| 75th Percentile | $120,320 | $161,280▲ | -$40,960 |
| 90th Percentile | $150,400 | $201,600▲ | -$51,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 108 | 187 | -79 |
| State Income Tax | 5.49%▲ | 6.85% | -1.3599999999999994% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $87,037▲ | $67,380 | +$19,657 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $82,088 | $108,449▲ | -$26,361 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $76,007▲ | $57,994 | +$18,013 |
| Total Employment | 24,000 | 54,400 | -30,400 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Atlanta, GA minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $32,000 more (median: $94,000 vs $126,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 108 vs 187), Atlanta, GA provides better purchasing power ($87,037 vs $67,380 equivalent). Atlanta, GA has the lower state tax rate (5.49% vs 6.85%).
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.