UX Designer · Salary Comparison · 2026
UX Designer Salary: Nashville, TN vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for UX Designers in Nashville, TN and New York, NY, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$89,000 vs $126,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Nashville, TN
$80,909 vs $67,380
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Nashville, TN
$74,760 vs $57,994
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Nashville, TN | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $89,000 | $126,000▲ | -$37,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $68,530 | $97,020▲ | -$28,490 |
| 75th Percentile | $113,920 | $161,280▲ | -$47,360 |
| 90th Percentile | $142,400 | $201,600▲ | -$59,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 110 | 187 | -77 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 6.85% | -6.85% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $80,909▲ | $67,380 | +$13,529 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $82,236 | $108,449▲ | -$26,213 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $74,760▲ | $57,994 | +$16,766 |
| Total Employment | 14,400 | 54,400 | -40,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Nashville, TN minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $37,000 more (median: $89,000 vs $126,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 110 vs 187), Nashville, TN provides better purchasing power ($80,909 vs $67,380 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.