UX Designer · Salary Comparison · 2026
UX Designer Salary: San Diego, CA vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for UX Designers in San Diego, CA and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$109,000 vs $116,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ San Diego, CA
$71,711 vs $71,605
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Boston, MA
$60,098 vs $62,855
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $109,000 | $116,000▲ | -$7,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $83,930 | $89,320▲ | -$5,390 |
| 75th Percentile | $139,520 | $148,480▲ | -$8,960 |
| 90th Percentile | $174,400 | $185,600▲ | -$11,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 152 | 162 | -10 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3% | 5%▲ | +4.300000000000001% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $71,711▲ | $71,605 | +$106 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $91,349 | $101,825▲ | -$10,476 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $60,098 | $62,855▲ | -$2,757 |
| Total Employment | 19,200 | 33,600 | -14,400 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = San Diego, CA minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $7,000 more (median: $109,000 vs $116,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 152 vs 162), San Diego, CA provides better purchasing power ($71,711 vs $71,605 equivalent). Boston, MA has the lower state tax rate (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.