UX Designer · Salary Comparison · 2026
UX Designer Salary: Columbus, OH vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for UX Designers in Columbus, OH and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$84,000 vs $116,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Columbus, OH
$92,308 vs $71,605
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Columbus, OH
$81,889 vs $62,855
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $84,000 | $116,000▲ | -$32,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $64,680 | $89,320▲ | -$24,640 |
| 75th Percentile | $107,520 | $148,480▲ | -$40,960 |
| 90th Percentile | $134,400 | $185,600▲ | -$51,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 91 | 162 | -71 |
| State Income Tax | 3.99%▲ | 5% | -1.0099999999999998% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $92,308▲ | $71,605 | +$20,703 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $74,519 | $101,825▲ | -$27,306 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $81,889▲ | $62,855 | +$19,034 |
| Total Employment | 12,800 | 33,600 | -20,800 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Columbus, OH minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $32,000 more (median: $84,000 vs $116,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 91 vs 162), Columbus, OH provides better purchasing power ($92,308 vs $71,605 equivalent). Columbus, OH has the lower state tax rate (3.99% 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.