UX Designer · Salary Comparison · 2026
UX Designer Salary: Austin, TX vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for UX Designers in Austin, TX and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$105,000 vs $131,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$84,677 vs $70,430
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$78,242 vs $59,025
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Austin, TX | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $105,000 | $131,000▲ | -$26,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $80,850 | $100,870▲ | -$20,020 |
| 75th Percentile | $134,400 | $167,680▲ | -$33,280 |
| 90th Percentile | $168,000 | $209,600▲ | -$41,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 124 | 186 | -62 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 9.3% | -9.3% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $84,677▲ | $70,430 | +$14,247 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $97,020 | $109,787▲ | -$12,767 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $78,242▲ | $59,025 | +$19,217 |
| Total Employment | 30,400 | 41,600 | -11,200 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Austin, TX minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $26,000 more (median: $105,000 vs $131,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 124 vs 186), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($84,677 vs $70,430 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.