UX Designer · Salary Comparison · 2026
UX Designer Salary: Chicago, IL vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for UX Designers in Chicago, IL and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$96,000 vs $116,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Chicago, IL
$89,720 vs $71,605
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Chicago, IL
$78,797 vs $62,855
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $96,000 | $116,000▲ | -$20,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $73,920 | $89,320▲ | -$15,400 |
| 75th Percentile | $122,880 | $148,480▲ | -$25,600 |
| 90th Percentile | $153,600 | $185,600▲ | -$32,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 107 | 162 | -55 |
| State Income Tax | 4.95%▲ | 5% | -0.04999999999999982% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $89,720▲ | $71,605 | +$18,115 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $84,313 | $101,825▲ | -$17,512 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $78,797▲ | $62,855 | +$15,942 |
| Total Employment | 28,000 | 33,600 | -5,600 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Chicago, IL minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $20,000 more (median: $96,000 vs $116,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 107 vs 162), Chicago, IL provides better purchasing power ($89,720 vs $71,605 equivalent). Chicago, IL has the lower state tax rate (4.95% vs 5%).
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.