UX Designer · Salary Comparison · 2026
UX Designer Salary: Louisville, KY vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for UX Designers in Louisville, KY and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$75,000 vs $116,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Louisville, KY
$86,207 vs $71,605
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Louisville, KY
$76,469 vs $62,855
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $75,000 | $116,000▲ | -$41,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $57,750 | $89,320▲ | -$31,570 |
| 75th Percentile | $96,000 | $148,480▲ | -$52,480 |
| 90th Percentile | $120,000 | $185,600▲ | -$65,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 87 | 162 | -75 |
| State Income Tax | 4%▲ | 5% | -1% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $86,207▲ | $71,605 | +$14,602 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $66,528 | $101,825▲ | -$35,297 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $76,469▲ | $62,855 | +$13,614 |
| Total Employment | 8,000 | 33,600 | -25,600 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Louisville, KY minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $41,000 more (median: $75,000 vs $116,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 87 vs 162), Louisville, KY provides better purchasing power ($86,207 vs $71,605 equivalent). Louisville, KY has the lower state tax rate (4% 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.