UX Designer · Salary Comparison · 2026
UX Designer Salary: Chicago, IL vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for UX Designers in Chicago, IL and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Austin, TX
$96,000 vs $105,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Chicago, IL
$89,720 vs $84,677
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Chicago, IL
$78,797 vs $78,242
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $96,000 | $105,000▲ | -$9,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $73,920 | $80,850▲ | -$6,930 |
| 75th Percentile | $122,880 | $134,400▲ | -$11,520 |
| 90th Percentile | $153,600 | $168,000▲ | -$14,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 107 | 124 | -17 |
| State Income Tax | 4.95% | 0%▲ | +4.95% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $89,720▲ | $84,677 | +$5,043 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $84,313 | $97,020▲ | -$12,707 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $78,797▲ | $78,242 | +$555 |
| Total Employment | 28,000 | 30,400 | -2,400 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Chicago, IL minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $9,000 more (median: $96,000 vs $105,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 107 vs 124), Chicago, IL provides better purchasing power ($89,720 vs $84,677 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.