UX Designer · Salary Comparison · 2026
UX Designer Salary: Raleigh, NC vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for UX Designers in Raleigh, NC and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$94,000 vs $131,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Raleigh, NC
$91,262 vs $70,430
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Raleigh, NC
$80,531 vs $59,025
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $94,000 | $131,000▲ | -$37,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $72,380 | $100,870▲ | -$28,490 |
| 75th Percentile | $120,320 | $167,680▲ | -$47,360 |
| 90th Percentile | $150,400 | $209,600▲ | -$59,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 103 | 186 | -83 |
| State Income Tax | 4.5%▲ | 9.3% | -4.800000000000001% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $91,262▲ | $70,430 | +$20,832 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $82,947 | $109,787▲ | -$26,840 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $80,531▲ | $59,025 | +$21,506 |
| Total Employment | 17,600 | 41,600 | -24,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Raleigh, NC minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $37,000 more (median: $94,000 vs $131,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 103 vs 186), Raleigh, NC provides better purchasing power ($91,262 vs $70,430 equivalent). Raleigh, NC has the lower state tax rate (4.5% vs 9.3%).
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.