UX Designer · Salary Comparison · 2026
UX Designer Salary: Los Angeles, CA vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for UX Designers in Los Angeles, CA and New York, NY, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$113,000 vs $126,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ New York, NY
$65,318 vs $67,380
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ New York, NY
$54,741 vs $57,994
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $113,000 | $126,000▲ | -$13,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $87,010 | $97,020▲ | -$10,010 |
| 75th Percentile | $144,640 | $161,280▲ | -$16,640 |
| 90th Percentile | $180,800 | $201,600▲ | -$20,800 |
| Cost of Living Index | 173 | 187 | -14 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3% | 6.85%▲ | +2.450000000000001% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $65,318 | $67,380▲ | -$2,062 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $94,702 | $108,449▲ | -$13,747 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $54,741 | $57,994▲ | -$3,253 |
| Total Employment | 38,400 | 54,400 | -16,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Los Angeles, CA minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $13,000 more (median: $113,000 vs $126,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 173 vs 187), New York, NY provides better purchasing power ($65,318 vs $67,380 equivalent). New York, NY has the lower state tax rate (6.85% 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.