UX Designer · Salary Comparison · 2026
UX Designer Salary: Detroit, MI vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for UX Designers in Detroit, MI and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$81,000 vs $116,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Detroit, MI
$91,011 vs $71,605
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Detroit, MI
$80,520 vs $62,855
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $81,000 | $116,000▲ | -$35,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $62,370 | $89,320▲ | -$26,950 |
| 75th Percentile | $103,680 | $148,480▲ | -$44,800 |
| 90th Percentile | $129,600 | $185,600▲ | -$56,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 89 | 162 | -73 |
| State Income Tax | 4.25%▲ | 5% | -0.75% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $91,011▲ | $71,605 | +$19,406 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $71,663 | $101,825▲ | -$30,162 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $80,520▲ | $62,855 | +$17,665 |
| Total Employment | 12,000 | 33,600 | -21,600 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Detroit, MI minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $35,000 more (median: $81,000 vs $116,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 89 vs 162), Detroit, MI provides better purchasing power ($91,011 vs $71,605 equivalent). Detroit, MI has the lower state tax rate (4.25% 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.