UX Designer · Salary Comparison · 2026
UX Designer Salary: San Diego, CA vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for UX Designers in San Diego, CA and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Diego, CA
$109,000 vs $105,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$71,711 vs $84,677
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$60,098 vs $78,242
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $109,000▲ | $105,000 | +$4,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $83,930▲ | $80,850 | +$3,080 |
| 75th Percentile | $139,520▲ | $134,400 | +$5,120 |
| 90th Percentile | $174,400▲ | $168,000 | +$6,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 152 | 124 | +28 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3% | 0%▲ | +9.3% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $71,711 | $84,677▲ | -$12,966 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $91,349 | $97,020▲ | -$5,671 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $60,098 | $78,242▲ | -$18,144 |
| Total Employment | 19,200 | 30,400 | -11,200 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = San Diego, CA minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Diego, CA pays $4,000 more (median: $109,000 vs $105,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 152 vs 124), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($71,711 vs $84,677 equivalent). Austin, TX has no state income tax, which is a significant advantage.
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.