UX Designer · Salary Comparison · 2026
UX Designer Salary: Nashville, TN vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for UX Designers in Nashville, TN and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Austin, TX
$89,000 vs $105,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$80,909 vs $84,677
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$74,760 vs $78,242
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Nashville, TN | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $89,000 | $105,000▲ | -$16,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $68,530 | $80,850▲ | -$12,320 |
| 75th Percentile | $113,920 | $134,400▲ | -$20,480 |
| 90th Percentile | $142,400 | $168,000▲ | -$25,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 110 | 124 | -14 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 0% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $80,909 | $84,677▲ | -$3,768 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $82,236 | $97,020▲ | -$14,784 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $74,760 | $78,242▲ | -$3,482 |
| Total Employment | 14,400 | 30,400 | -16,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Nashville, TN minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $16,000 more (median: $89,000 vs $105,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 110 vs 124), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($80,909 vs $84,677 equivalent). Nashville, 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.