UX Designer · Salary Comparison · 2026
UX Designer Salary: El Paso, TX vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for UX Designers in El Paso, TX and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$66,000 vs $116,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ El Paso, TX
$77,647 vs $71,605
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ El Paso, TX
$71,746 vs $62,855
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $66,000 | $116,000▲ | -$50,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $50,820 | $89,320▲ | -$38,500 |
| 75th Percentile | $84,480 | $148,480▲ | -$64,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $105,600 | $185,600▲ | -$80,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 85 | 162 | -77 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 5% | -5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $77,647▲ | $71,605 | +$6,042 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $60,984 | $101,825▲ | -$40,841 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $71,746▲ | $62,855 | +$8,891 |
| Total Employment | 4,800 | 33,600 | -28,800 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = El Paso, TX minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $50,000 more (median: $66,000 vs $116,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 85 vs 162), El Paso, TX provides better purchasing power ($77,647 vs $71,605 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.