UX Designer · Salary Comparison · 2026
UX Designer Salary: Portland, OR vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for UX Designers in Portland, OR and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Portland, OR
$105,000 vs $105,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$80,769 vs $84,677
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$68,101 vs $78,242
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Portland, OR | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $105,000▲ | $105,000 | — |
| 25th Percentile | $80,850▲ | $80,850 | — |
| 75th Percentile | $134,400▲ | $134,400 | — |
| 90th Percentile | $168,000▲ | $168,000 | — |
| Cost of Living Index | 130 | 124 | +6 |
| State Income Tax | 8.75% | 0%▲ | +8.75% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $80,769 | $84,677▲ | -$3,908 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $88,531 | $97,020▲ | -$8,489 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $68,101 | $78,242▲ | -$10,141 |
| Total Employment | 16,000 | 30,400 | -14,400 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Portland, OR minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Portland, OR pays $0 more (median: $105,000 vs $105,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 130 vs 124), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($80,769 vs $84,677 equivalent). Austin, TX 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.