UX Designer · Salary Comparison · 2026
UX Designer Salary: Boston, MA vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for UX Designers in Boston, MA and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$116,000 vs $131,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Boston, MA
$71,605 vs $70,430
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Boston, MA
$62,855 vs $59,025
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Boston, MA | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $116,000 | $131,000▲ | -$15,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $89,320 | $100,870▲ | -$11,550 |
| 75th Percentile | $148,480 | $167,680▲ | -$19,200 |
| 90th Percentile | $185,600 | $209,600▲ | -$24,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 162 | 186 | -24 |
| State Income Tax | 5%▲ | 9.3% | -4.300000000000001% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $71,605▲ | $70,430 | +$1,175 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $101,825 | $109,787▲ | -$7,962 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $62,855▲ | $59,025 | +$3,830 |
| Total Employment | 33,600 | 41,600 | -8,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Boston, MA minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $15,000 more (median: $116,000 vs $131,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 162 vs 186), Boston, MA provides better purchasing power ($71,605 vs $70,430 equivalent). Boston, MA has the lower state tax rate (5% vs 9.3%).
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.