UX Designer · Salary Comparison · 2026
UX Designer Salary: Indianapolis, IN vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for UX Designers in Indianapolis, IN and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$81,000 vs $116,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Indianapolis, IN
$90,000 vs $71,605
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Indianapolis, IN
$80,540 vs $62,855
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $81,000 | $116,000▲ | -$35,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $62,370 | $89,320▲ | -$26,950 |
| 75th Percentile | $103,680 | $148,480▲ | -$44,800 |
| 90th Percentile | $129,600 | $185,600▲ | -$56,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 90 | 162 | -72 |
| State Income Tax | 3.15%▲ | 5% | -1.85% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $90,000▲ | $71,605 | +$18,395 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $72,486 | $101,825▲ | -$29,339 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $80,540▲ | $62,855 | +$17,685 |
| Total Employment | 12,000 | 33,600 | -21,600 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Indianapolis, IN minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $35,000 more (median: $81,000 vs $116,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 90 vs 162), Indianapolis, IN provides better purchasing power ($90,000 vs $71,605 equivalent). Indianapolis, IN has the lower state tax rate (3.15% vs 5%).
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.