UX Designer · Salary Comparison · 2026
UX Designer Salary: Nashville, TN vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for UX Designers in Nashville, TN and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$89,000 vs $128,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Nashville, TN
$80,909 vs $79,012
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Nashville, TN
$74,760 vs $73,007
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Nashville, TN | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $89,000 | $128,000▲ | -$39,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $68,530 | $98,560▲ | -$30,030 |
| 75th Percentile | $113,920 | $163,840▲ | -$49,920 |
| 90th Percentile | $142,400 | $204,800▲ | -$62,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 110 | 162 | -52 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 0% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $80,909▲ | $79,012 | +$1,897 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $82,236 | $118,272▲ | -$36,036 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $74,760▲ | $73,007 | +$1,753 |
| Total Employment | 14,400 | 46,400 | -32,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Nashville, TN minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $39,000 more (median: $89,000 vs $128,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 110 vs 162), Nashville, TN provides better purchasing power ($80,909 vs $79,012 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.