UX Designer · Salary Comparison · 2026
UX Designer Salary: Denver, CO vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for UX Designers in Denver, CO and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$101,000 vs $128,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Seattle, WA
$78,906 vs $79,012
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Seattle, WA
$69,702 vs $73,007
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Denver, CO | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $101,000 | $128,000▲ | -$27,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $77,770 | $98,560▲ | -$20,790 |
| 75th Percentile | $129,280 | $163,840▲ | -$34,560 |
| 90th Percentile | $161,600 | $204,800▲ | -$43,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 128 | 162 | -34 |
| State Income Tax | 4.4% | 0%▲ | +4.4% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $78,906 | $79,012▲ | -$106 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $89,218 | $118,272▲ | -$29,054 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $69,702 | $73,007▲ | -$3,305 |
| Total Employment | 22,400 | 46,400 | -24,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Denver, CO minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $27,000 more (median: $101,000 vs $128,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 128 vs 162), Seattle, WA provides better purchasing power ($78,906 vs $79,012 equivalent). Seattle, WA 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.