UX Designer · Salary Comparison · 2026
UX Designer Salary: Salt Lake City, UT vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for UX Designers in Salt Lake City, UT and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$90,000 vs $116,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Salt Lake City, UT
$80,357 vs $71,605
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Salt Lake City, UT
$70,797 vs $62,855
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Salt Lake City, UT | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $90,000 | $116,000▲ | -$26,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $69,300 | $89,320▲ | -$20,020 |
| 75th Percentile | $115,200 | $148,480▲ | -$33,280 |
| 90th Percentile | $144,000 | $185,600▲ | -$41,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 112 | 162 | -50 |
| State Income Tax | 4.65%▲ | 5% | -0.34999999999999964% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $80,357▲ | $71,605 | +$8,752 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $79,293 | $101,825▲ | -$22,532 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $70,797▲ | $62,855 | +$7,942 |
| Total Employment | 14,400 | 33,600 | -19,200 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Salt Lake City, UT minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $26,000 more (median: $90,000 vs $116,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 112 vs 162), Salt Lake City, UT provides better purchasing power ($80,357 vs $71,605 equivalent). Salt Lake City, UT has the lower state tax rate (4.65% 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.