UX Designer · Salary Comparison · 2026
UX Designer Salary: Chicago, IL vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for UX Designers in Chicago, IL and New York, NY, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$96,000 vs $126,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Chicago, IL
$89,720 vs $67,380
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Chicago, IL
$78,797 vs $57,994
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Chicago, IL | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $96,000 | $126,000▲ | -$30,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $73,920 | $97,020▲ | -$23,100 |
| 75th Percentile | $122,880 | $161,280▲ | -$38,400 |
| 90th Percentile | $153,600 | $201,600▲ | -$48,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 107 | 187 | -80 |
| State Income Tax | 4.95%▲ | 6.85% | -1.8999999999999995% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $89,720▲ | $67,380 | +$22,340 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $84,313 | $108,449▲ | -$24,136 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $78,797▲ | $57,994 | +$20,803 |
| Total Employment | 28,000 | 54,400 | -26,400 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Chicago, IL minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $30,000 more (median: $96,000 vs $126,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 107 vs 187), Chicago, IL provides better purchasing power ($89,720 vs $67,380 equivalent). Chicago, IL has the lower state tax rate (4.95% vs 6.85%).
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.