UX Designer · Salary Comparison · 2026
UX Designer Salary: Dallas, TX vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for UX Designers in Dallas, TX and New York, NY, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$99,000 vs $126,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Dallas, TX
$88,393 vs $67,380
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Dallas, TX
$81,675 vs $57,994
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Dallas, TX | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $99,000 | $126,000▲ | -$27,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $76,230 | $97,020▲ | -$20,790 |
| 75th Percentile | $126,720 | $161,280▲ | -$34,560 |
| 90th Percentile | $158,400 | $201,600▲ | -$43,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 112 | 187 | -75 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 6.85% | -6.85% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $88,393▲ | $67,380 | +$21,013 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $91,476 | $108,449▲ | -$16,973 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $81,675▲ | $57,994 | +$23,681 |
| Total Employment | 28,000 | 54,400 | -26,400 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Dallas, TX minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $27,000 more (median: $99,000 vs $126,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 112 vs 187), Dallas, TX provides better purchasing power ($88,393 vs $67,380 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.