UX Designer · Salary Comparison · 2026
UX Designer Salary: Austin, TX vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for UX Designers in Austin, TX and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$105,000 vs $128,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$84,677 vs $79,012
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$78,242 vs $73,007
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Austin, TX | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $105,000 | $128,000▲ | -$23,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $80,850 | $98,560▲ | -$17,710 |
| 75th Percentile | $134,400 | $163,840▲ | -$29,440 |
| 90th Percentile | $168,000 | $204,800▲ | -$36,800 |
| Cost of Living Index | 124 | 162 | -38 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 0% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $84,677▲ | $79,012 | +$5,665 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $97,020 | $118,272▲ | -$21,252 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $78,242▲ | $73,007 | +$5,235 |
| Total Employment | 30,400 | 46,400 | -16,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Austin, TX minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $23,000 more (median: $105,000 vs $128,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 124 vs 162), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($84,677 vs $79,012 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.