UX Designer · Salary Comparison · 2026
UX Designer Salary: New York, NY vs Denver, CO
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for UX Designers in New York, NY and Denver, CO, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$126,000 vs $101,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Denver, CO
$67,380 vs $78,906
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Denver, CO
$57,994 vs $69,702
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | New York, NY | Denver, CO | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $126,000▲ | $101,000 | +$25,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $97,020▲ | $77,770 | +$19,250 |
| 75th Percentile | $161,280▲ | $129,280 | +$32,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $201,600▲ | $161,600 | +$40,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 187 | 128 | +59 |
| State Income Tax | 6.85% | 4.4%▲ | +2.4499999999999993% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $67,380 | $78,906▲ | -$11,526 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $108,449▲ | $89,218 | +$19,231 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $57,994 | $69,702▲ | -$11,708 |
| Total Employment | 54,400 | 22,400 | +32,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = New York, NY minus Denver, CO.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $25,000 more (median: $126,000 vs $101,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 187 vs 128), Denver, CO provides better purchasing power ($67,380 vs $78,906 equivalent). Denver, CO has the lower state tax rate (4.4% vs 6.85%).
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.