UX Designer · Salary Comparison · 2026
UX Designer Salary: Austin, TX vs Denver, CO
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for UX Designers in Austin, TX and Denver, CO, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Austin, TX
$105,000 vs $101,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$84,677 vs $78,906
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$78,242 vs $69,702
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Austin, TX | Denver, CO | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $105,000▲ | $101,000 | +$4,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $80,850▲ | $77,770 | +$3,080 |
| 75th Percentile | $134,400▲ | $129,280 | +$5,120 |
| 90th Percentile | $168,000▲ | $161,600 | +$6,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 124 | 128 | -4 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 4.4% | -4.4% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $84,677▲ | $78,906 | +$5,771 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $97,020▲ | $89,218 | +$7,802 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $78,242▲ | $69,702 | +$8,540 |
| Total Employment | 30,400 | 22,400 | +8,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Austin, TX minus Denver, CO.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $4,000 more (median: $105,000 vs $101,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 124 vs 128), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($84,677 vs $78,906 equivalent). Austin, TX has no state income tax, which is a significant advantage.
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.