UX Designer · Salary Comparison · 2026
UX Designer Salary: Minneapolis, MN vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for UX Designers in Minneapolis, MN and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$95,000 vs $131,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Minneapolis, MN
$85,586 vs $70,430
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Minneapolis, MN
$73,704 vs $59,025
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $95,000 | $131,000▲ | -$36,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $73,150 | $100,870▲ | -$27,720 |
| 75th Percentile | $121,600 | $167,680▲ | -$46,080 |
| 90th Percentile | $152,000 | $209,600▲ | -$57,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 111 | 186 | -75 |
| State Income Tax | 6.8%▲ | 9.3% | -2.500000000000001% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $85,586▲ | $70,430 | +$15,156 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $81,811 | $109,787▲ | -$27,976 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $73,704▲ | $59,025 | +$14,679 |
| Total Employment | 17,600 | 41,600 | -24,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Minneapolis, MN minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $36,000 more (median: $95,000 vs $131,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 111 vs 186), Minneapolis, MN provides better purchasing power ($85,586 vs $70,430 equivalent). Minneapolis, MN has the lower state tax rate (6.8% vs 9.3%).
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.