UX Designer · Salary Comparison · 2026
UX Designer Salary: Chicago, IL vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for UX Designers in Chicago, IL and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$96,000 vs $131,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Chicago, IL
$89,720 vs $70,430
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Chicago, IL
$78,797 vs $59,025
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Chicago, IL | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $96,000 | $131,000▲ | -$35,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $73,920 | $100,870▲ | -$26,950 |
| 75th Percentile | $122,880 | $167,680▲ | -$44,800 |
| 90th Percentile | $153,600 | $209,600▲ | -$56,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 107 | 186 | -79 |
| State Income Tax | 4.95%▲ | 9.3% | -4.3500000000000005% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $89,720▲ | $70,430 | +$19,290 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $84,313 | $109,787▲ | -$25,474 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $78,797▲ | $59,025 | +$19,772 |
| Total Employment | 28,000 | 41,600 | -13,600 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Chicago, IL minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $35,000 more (median: $96,000 vs $131,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 107 vs 186), Chicago, IL provides better purchasing power ($89,720 vs $70,430 equivalent). Chicago, IL has the lower state tax rate (4.95% 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.