UX Designer · Salary Comparison · 2026
UX Designer Salary: Portland, OR vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for UX Designers in Portland, OR and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$105,000 vs $116,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Portland, OR
$80,769 vs $71,605
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Portland, OR
$68,101 vs $62,855
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Portland, OR | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $105,000 | $116,000▲ | -$11,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $80,850 | $89,320▲ | -$8,470 |
| 75th Percentile | $134,400 | $148,480▲ | -$14,080 |
| 90th Percentile | $168,000 | $185,600▲ | -$17,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 130 | 162 | -32 |
| State Income Tax | 8.75% | 5%▲ | +3.75% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $80,769▲ | $71,605 | +$9,164 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $88,531 | $101,825▲ | -$13,294 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $68,101▲ | $62,855 | +$5,246 |
| Total Employment | 16,000 | 33,600 | -17,600 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Portland, OR minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $11,000 more (median: $105,000 vs $116,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 130 vs 162), Portland, OR provides better purchasing power ($80,769 vs $71,605 equivalent). Boston, MA has the lower state tax rate (5% vs 8.75%).
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.