UX Designer · Salary Comparison · 2026
UX Designer Salary: El Paso, TX vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for UX Designers in El Paso, TX and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$66,000 vs $128,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Seattle, WA
$77,647 vs $79,012
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Seattle, WA
$71,746 vs $73,007
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $66,000 | $128,000▲ | -$62,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $50,820 | $98,560▲ | -$47,740 |
| 75th Percentile | $84,480 | $163,840▲ | -$79,360 |
| 90th Percentile | $105,600 | $204,800▲ | -$99,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 85 | 162 | -77 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 0% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $77,647 | $79,012▲ | -$1,365 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $60,984 | $118,272▲ | -$57,288 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $71,746 | $73,007▲ | -$1,261 |
| Total Employment | 4,800 | 46,400 | -41,600 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = El Paso, TX minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $62,000 more (median: $66,000 vs $128,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 85 vs 162), Seattle, WA provides better purchasing power ($77,647 vs $79,012 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.