UX Designer · Salary Comparison · 2026
UX Designer Salary: Denver, CO vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for UX Designers in Denver, CO and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$101,000 vs $116,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Denver, CO
$78,906 vs $71,605
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Denver, CO
$69,702 vs $62,855
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Denver, CO | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $101,000 | $116,000▲ | -$15,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $77,770 | $89,320▲ | -$11,550 |
| 75th Percentile | $129,280 | $148,480▲ | -$19,200 |
| 90th Percentile | $161,600 | $185,600▲ | -$24,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 128 | 162 | -34 |
| State Income Tax | 4.4%▲ | 5% | -0.5999999999999996% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $78,906▲ | $71,605 | +$7,301 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $89,218 | $101,825▲ | -$12,607 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $69,702▲ | $62,855 | +$6,847 |
| Total Employment | 22,400 | 33,600 | -11,200 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Denver, CO minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $15,000 more (median: $101,000 vs $116,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 128 vs 162), Denver, CO provides better purchasing power ($78,906 vs $71,605 equivalent). Denver, CO has the lower state tax rate (4.4% 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.