UX Designer · Salary Comparison · 2026
UX Designer Salary: Los Angeles, CA vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for UX Designers in Los Angeles, CA and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$113,000 vs $116,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Boston, MA
$65,318 vs $71,605
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Boston, MA
$54,741 vs $62,855
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $113,000 | $116,000▲ | -$3,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $87,010 | $89,320▲ | -$2,310 |
| 75th Percentile | $144,640 | $148,480▲ | -$3,840 |
| 90th Percentile | $180,800 | $185,600▲ | -$4,800 |
| Cost of Living Index | 173 | 162 | +11 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3% | 5%▲ | +4.300000000000001% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $65,318 | $71,605▲ | -$6,287 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $94,702 | $101,825▲ | -$7,123 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $54,741 | $62,855▲ | -$8,114 |
| Total Employment | 38,400 | 33,600 | +4,800 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Los Angeles, CA minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $3,000 more (median: $113,000 vs $116,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 173 vs 162), Boston, MA provides better purchasing power ($65,318 vs $71,605 equivalent). Boston, MA has the lower state tax rate (5% vs 9.3%).
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.