UX Designer · Salary Comparison · 2026
UX Designer Salary: Memphis, TN vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for UX Designers in Memphis, TN and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$71,000 vs $131,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Memphis, TN
$85,542 vs $70,430
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Memphis, TN
$79,041 vs $59,025
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Memphis, TN | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $71,000 | $131,000▲ | -$60,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $54,670 | $100,870▲ | -$46,200 |
| 75th Percentile | $90,880 | $167,680▲ | -$76,800 |
| 90th Percentile | $113,600 | $209,600▲ | -$96,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 83 | 186 | -103 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 9.3% | -9.3% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $85,542▲ | $70,430 | +$15,112 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $65,604 | $109,787▲ | -$44,183 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $79,041▲ | $59,025 | +$20,016 |
| Total Employment | 6,400 | 41,600 | -35,200 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Memphis, TN minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $60,000 more (median: $71,000 vs $131,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 83 vs 186), Memphis, TN provides better purchasing power ($85,542 vs $70,430 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.