UX Designer · Salary Comparison · 2026
UX Designer Salary: Salt Lake City, UT vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for UX Designers in Salt Lake City, UT and New York, NY, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$90,000 vs $126,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Salt Lake City, UT
$80,357 vs $67,380
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Salt Lake City, UT
$70,797 vs $57,994
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Salt Lake City, UT | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $90,000 | $126,000▲ | -$36,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $69,300 | $97,020▲ | -$27,720 |
| 75th Percentile | $115,200 | $161,280▲ | -$46,080 |
| 90th Percentile | $144,000 | $201,600▲ | -$57,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 112 | 187 | -75 |
| State Income Tax | 4.65%▲ | 6.85% | -2.1999999999999993% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $80,357▲ | $67,380 | +$12,977 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $79,293 | $108,449▲ | -$29,156 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $70,797▲ | $57,994 | +$12,803 |
| Total Employment | 14,400 | 54,400 | -40,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Salt Lake City, UT minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $36,000 more (median: $90,000 vs $126,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 112 vs 187), Salt Lake City, UT provides better purchasing power ($80,357 vs $67,380 equivalent). Salt Lake City, UT has the lower state tax rate (4.65% 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.