UX Designer · Salary Comparison · 2026
UX Designer Salary: El Paso, TX vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for UX Designers in El Paso, TX and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$66,000 vs $131,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ El Paso, TX
$77,647 vs $70,430
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ El Paso, TX
$71,746 vs $59,025
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | El Paso, TX | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $66,000 | $131,000▲ | -$65,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $50,820 | $100,870▲ | -$50,050 |
| 75th Percentile | $84,480 | $167,680▲ | -$83,200 |
| 90th Percentile | $105,600 | $209,600▲ | -$104,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 85 | 186 | -101 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 9.3% | -9.3% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $77,647▲ | $70,430 | +$7,217 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $60,984 | $109,787▲ | -$48,803 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $71,746▲ | $59,025 | +$12,721 |
| Total Employment | 4,800 | 41,600 | -36,800 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = El Paso, TX minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $65,000 more (median: $66,000 vs $131,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 85 vs 186), El Paso, TX provides better purchasing power ($77,647 vs $70,430 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.