UX Designer · Salary Comparison · 2026
UX Designer Salary: Houston, TX vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for UX Designers in Houston, TX and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$96,000 vs $128,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Houston, TX
$89,720 vs $79,012
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Houston, TX
$82,901 vs $73,007
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Houston, TX | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $96,000 | $128,000▲ | -$32,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $73,920 | $98,560▲ | -$24,640 |
| 75th Percentile | $122,880 | $163,840▲ | -$40,960 |
| 90th Percentile | $153,600 | $204,800▲ | -$51,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 107 | 162 | -55 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 0% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $89,720▲ | $79,012 | +$10,708 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $88,704 | $118,272▲ | -$29,568 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $82,901▲ | $73,007 | +$9,894 |
| Total Employment | 22,400 | 46,400 | -24,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Houston, TX minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $32,000 more (median: $96,000 vs $128,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 107 vs 162), Houston, TX provides better purchasing power ($89,720 vs $79,012 equivalent). Houston, 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.