UX Designer · Salary Comparison · 2026
UX Designer Salary: Portland, OR vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for UX Designers in Portland, OR and New York, NY, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$105,000 vs $126,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Portland, OR
$80,769 vs $67,380
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Portland, OR
$68,101 vs $57,994
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Portland, OR | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $105,000 | $126,000▲ | -$21,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $80,850 | $97,020▲ | -$16,170 |
| 75th Percentile | $134,400 | $161,280▲ | -$26,880 |
| 90th Percentile | $168,000 | $201,600▲ | -$33,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 130 | 187 | -57 |
| State Income Tax | 8.75% | 6.85%▲ | +1.9000000000000004% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $80,769▲ | $67,380 | +$13,389 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $88,531 | $108,449▲ | -$19,918 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $68,101▲ | $57,994 | +$10,107 |
| Total Employment | 16,000 | 54,400 | -38,400 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Portland, OR minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $21,000 more (median: $105,000 vs $126,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 130 vs 187), Portland, OR provides better purchasing power ($80,769 vs $67,380 equivalent). New York, NY has the lower state tax rate (6.85% 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.