UX Designer · Salary Comparison · 2026
UX Designer Salary: Louisville, KY vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for UX Designers in Louisville, KY and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$75,000 vs $128,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Louisville, KY
$86,207 vs $79,012
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Louisville, KY
$76,469 vs $73,007
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $75,000 | $128,000▲ | -$53,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $57,750 | $98,560▲ | -$40,810 |
| 75th Percentile | $96,000 | $163,840▲ | -$67,840 |
| 90th Percentile | $120,000 | $204,800▲ | -$84,800 |
| Cost of Living Index | 87 | 162 | -75 |
| State Income Tax | 4% | 0%▲ | +4% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $86,207▲ | $79,012 | +$7,195 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $66,528 | $118,272▲ | -$51,744 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $76,469▲ | $73,007 | +$3,462 |
| Total Employment | 8,000 | 46,400 | -38,400 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Louisville, KY minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $53,000 more (median: $75,000 vs $128,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 87 vs 162), Louisville, KY provides better purchasing power ($86,207 vs $79,012 equivalent). Seattle, WA 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.