UX Designer · Salary Comparison · 2026
UX Designer Salary: Raleigh, NC vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for UX Designers in Raleigh, NC and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$94,000 vs $116,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Raleigh, NC
$91,262 vs $71,605
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Raleigh, NC
$80,531 vs $62,855
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $94,000 | $116,000▲ | -$22,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $72,380 | $89,320▲ | -$16,940 |
| 75th Percentile | $120,320 | $148,480▲ | -$28,160 |
| 90th Percentile | $150,400 | $185,600▲ | -$35,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 103 | 162 | -59 |
| State Income Tax | 4.5%▲ | 5% | -0.5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $91,262▲ | $71,605 | +$19,657 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $82,947 | $101,825▲ | -$18,878 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $80,531▲ | $62,855 | +$17,676 |
| Total Employment | 17,600 | 33,600 | -16,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Raleigh, NC minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $22,000 more (median: $94,000 vs $116,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 103 vs 162), Raleigh, NC provides better purchasing power ($91,262 vs $71,605 equivalent). Raleigh, NC has the lower state tax rate (4.5% vs 5%).
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.