UX Designer · Salary Comparison · 2026
UX Designer Salary: Raleigh, NC vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for UX Designers in Raleigh, NC and New York, NY, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$94,000 vs $126,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Raleigh, NC
$91,262 vs $67,380
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Raleigh, NC
$80,531 vs $57,994
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $94,000 | $126,000▲ | -$32,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $72,380 | $97,020▲ | -$24,640 |
| 75th Percentile | $120,320 | $161,280▲ | -$40,960 |
| 90th Percentile | $150,400 | $201,600▲ | -$51,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 103 | 187 | -84 |
| State Income Tax | 4.5%▲ | 6.85% | -2.3499999999999996% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $91,262▲ | $67,380 | +$23,882 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $82,947 | $108,449▲ | -$25,502 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $80,531▲ | $57,994 | +$22,537 |
| Total Employment | 17,600 | 54,400 | -36,800 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Raleigh, NC minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $32,000 more (median: $94,000 vs $126,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 103 vs 187), Raleigh, NC provides better purchasing power ($91,262 vs $67,380 equivalent). Raleigh, NC has the lower state tax rate (4.5% 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.