UX Designer · Salary Comparison · 2026
UX Designer Salary: San Francisco, CA vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for UX Designers in San Francisco, CA and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$131,000 vs $105,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$70,430 vs $84,677
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$59,025 vs $78,242
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | San Francisco, CA | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $131,000▲ | $105,000 | +$26,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $100,870▲ | $80,850 | +$20,020 |
| 75th Percentile | $167,680▲ | $134,400 | +$33,280 |
| 90th Percentile | $209,600▲ | $168,000 | +$41,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 186 | 124 | +62 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3% | 0%▲ | +9.3% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $70,430 | $84,677▲ | -$14,247 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $109,787▲ | $97,020 | +$12,767 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $59,025 | $78,242▲ | -$19,217 |
| Total Employment | 41,600 | 30,400 | +11,200 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = San Francisco, CA minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $26,000 more (median: $131,000 vs $105,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 186 vs 124), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($70,430 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.