UX Designer · Salary Comparison · 2026
UX Designer Salary: Minneapolis, MN vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for UX Designers in Minneapolis, MN and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$95,000 vs $116,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Minneapolis, MN
$85,586 vs $71,605
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Minneapolis, MN
$73,704 vs $62,855
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $95,000 | $116,000▲ | -$21,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $73,150 | $89,320▲ | -$16,170 |
| 75th Percentile | $121,600 | $148,480▲ | -$26,880 |
| 90th Percentile | $152,000 | $185,600▲ | -$33,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 111 | 162 | -51 |
| State Income Tax | 6.8% | 5%▲ | +1.7999999999999998% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $85,586▲ | $71,605 | +$13,981 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $81,811 | $101,825▲ | -$20,014 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $73,704▲ | $62,855 | +$10,849 |
| Total Employment | 17,600 | 33,600 | -16,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Minneapolis, MN minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $21,000 more (median: $95,000 vs $116,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 111 vs 162), Minneapolis, MN provides better purchasing power ($85,586 vs $71,605 equivalent). Boston, MA has the lower state tax rate (5% vs 6.8%).
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.