UX Designer · Salary Comparison · 2026
UX Designer Salary: Richmond, VA vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for UX Designers in Richmond, VA and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$86,000 vs $131,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Richmond, VA
$85,149 vs $70,430
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Richmond, VA
$74,153 vs $59,025
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Richmond, VA | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $86,000 | $131,000▲ | -$45,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $66,220 | $100,870▲ | -$34,650 |
| 75th Percentile | $110,080 | $167,680▲ | -$57,600 |
| 90th Percentile | $137,600 | $209,600▲ | -$72,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 101 | 186 | -85 |
| State Income Tax | 5.75%▲ | 9.3% | -3.5500000000000007% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $85,149▲ | $70,430 | +$14,719 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $74,895 | $109,787▲ | -$34,892 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $74,153▲ | $59,025 | +$15,128 |
| Total Employment | 11,200 | 41,600 | -30,400 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Richmond, VA minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $45,000 more (median: $86,000 vs $131,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 101 vs 186), Richmond, VA provides better purchasing power ($85,149 vs $70,430 equivalent). Richmond, VA has the lower state tax rate (5.75% 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.