UX Designer · Salary Comparison · 2026
UX Designer Salary: Nashville, TN vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for UX Designers in Nashville, TN and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$89,000 vs $116,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Nashville, TN
$80,909 vs $71,605
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Nashville, TN
$74,760 vs $62,855
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Nashville, TN | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $89,000 | $116,000▲ | -$27,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $68,530 | $89,320▲ | -$20,790 |
| 75th Percentile | $113,920 | $148,480▲ | -$34,560 |
| 90th Percentile | $142,400 | $185,600▲ | -$43,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 110 | 162 | -52 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 5% | -5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $80,909▲ | $71,605 | +$9,304 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $82,236 | $101,825▲ | -$19,589 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $74,760▲ | $62,855 | +$11,905 |
| Total Employment | 14,400 | 33,600 | -19,200 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Nashville, TN minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $27,000 more (median: $89,000 vs $116,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 110 vs 162), Nashville, TN provides better purchasing power ($80,909 vs $71,605 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.