UX Designer · Salary Comparison · 2026
UX Designer Salary: Dallas, TX vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for UX Designers in Dallas, TX and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Austin, TX
$99,000 vs $105,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Dallas, TX
$88,393 vs $84,677
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Dallas, TX
$81,675 vs $78,242
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $99,000 | $105,000▲ | -$6,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $76,230 | $80,850▲ | -$4,620 |
| 75th Percentile | $126,720 | $134,400▲ | -$7,680 |
| 90th Percentile | $158,400 | $168,000▲ | -$9,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 112 | 124 | -12 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 0% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $88,393▲ | $84,677 | +$3,716 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $91,476 | $97,020▲ | -$5,544 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $81,675▲ | $78,242 | +$3,433 |
| Total Employment | 28,000 | 30,400 | -2,400 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Dallas, TX minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $6,000 more (median: $99,000 vs $105,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 112 vs 124), Dallas, TX provides better purchasing power ($88,393 vs $84,677 equivalent). Dallas, 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.