UX Designer · Salary Comparison · 2026
UX Designer Salary: El Paso, TX vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for UX Designers in El Paso, TX and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Austin, TX
$66,000 vs $105,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$77,647 vs $84,677
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$71,746 vs $78,242
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $66,000 | $105,000▲ | -$39,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $50,820 | $80,850▲ | -$30,030 |
| 75th Percentile | $84,480 | $134,400▲ | -$49,920 |
| 90th Percentile | $105,600 | $168,000▲ | -$62,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 85 | 124 | -39 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 0% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $77,647 | $84,677▲ | -$7,030 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $60,984 | $97,020▲ | -$36,036 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $71,746 | $78,242▲ | -$6,496 |
| Total Employment | 4,800 | 30,400 | -25,600 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = El Paso, TX minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $39,000 more (median: $66,000 vs $105,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 85 vs 124), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($77,647 vs $84,677 equivalent). El Paso, 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.