UX Designer · Salary Comparison · 2026
UX Designer Salary: Memphis, TN vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for UX Designers in Memphis, TN and New York, NY, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$71,000 vs $126,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Memphis, TN
$85,542 vs $67,380
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Memphis, TN
$79,041 vs $57,994
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Memphis, TN | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $71,000 | $126,000▲ | -$55,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $54,670 | $97,020▲ | -$42,350 |
| 75th Percentile | $90,880 | $161,280▲ | -$70,400 |
| 90th Percentile | $113,600 | $201,600▲ | -$88,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 83 | 187 | -104 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 6.85% | -6.85% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $85,542▲ | $67,380 | +$18,162 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $65,604 | $108,449▲ | -$42,845 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $79,041▲ | $57,994 | +$21,047 |
| Total Employment | 6,400 | 54,400 | -48,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Memphis, TN minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $55,000 more (median: $71,000 vs $126,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 83 vs 187), Memphis, TN provides better purchasing power ($85,542 vs $67,380 equivalent). Memphis, TN 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.