UX Designer · Salary Comparison · 2026
UX Designer Salary: Louisville, KY vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for UX Designers in Louisville, KY and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Austin, TX
$75,000 vs $105,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Louisville, KY
$86,207 vs $84,677
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$76,469 vs $78,242
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $75,000 | $105,000▲ | -$30,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $57,750 | $80,850▲ | -$23,100 |
| 75th Percentile | $96,000 | $134,400▲ | -$38,400 |
| 90th Percentile | $120,000 | $168,000▲ | -$48,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 87 | 124 | -37 |
| State Income Tax | 4% | 0%▲ | +4% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $86,207▲ | $84,677 | +$1,530 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $66,528 | $97,020▲ | -$30,492 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $76,469 | $78,242▲ | -$1,773 |
| Total Employment | 8,000 | 30,400 | -22,400 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Louisville, KY minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $30,000 more (median: $75,000 vs $105,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 87 vs 124), Louisville, KY provides better purchasing power ($86,207 vs $84,677 equivalent). Austin, 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.