UX Designer · Salary Comparison · 2026
UX Designer Salary: Indianapolis, IN vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for UX Designers in Indianapolis, IN and New York, NY, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$81,000 vs $126,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Indianapolis, IN
$90,000 vs $67,380
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Indianapolis, IN
$80,540 vs $57,994
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $81,000 | $126,000▲ | -$45,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $62,370 | $97,020▲ | -$34,650 |
| 75th Percentile | $103,680 | $161,280▲ | -$57,600 |
| 90th Percentile | $129,600 | $201,600▲ | -$72,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 90 | 187 | -97 |
| State Income Tax | 3.15%▲ | 6.85% | -3.6999999999999997% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $90,000▲ | $67,380 | +$22,620 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $72,486 | $108,449▲ | -$35,963 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $80,540▲ | $57,994 | +$22,546 |
| Total Employment | 12,000 | 54,400 | -42,400 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Indianapolis, IN minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $45,000 more (median: $81,000 vs $126,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 90 vs 187), Indianapolis, IN provides better purchasing power ($90,000 vs $67,380 equivalent). Indianapolis, IN has the lower state tax rate (3.15% vs 6.85%).
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.