UX Designer · Salary Comparison · 2026
UX Designer Salary: San Francisco, CA vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for UX Designers in San Francisco, CA and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$131,000 vs $116,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Boston, MA
$70,430 vs $71,605
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Boston, MA
$59,025 vs $62,855
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | San Francisco, CA | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $131,000▲ | $116,000 | +$15,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $100,870▲ | $89,320 | +$11,550 |
| 75th Percentile | $167,680▲ | $148,480 | +$19,200 |
| 90th Percentile | $209,600▲ | $185,600 | +$24,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 186 | 162 | +24 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3% | 5%▲ | +4.300000000000001% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $70,430 | $71,605▲ | -$1,175 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $109,787▲ | $101,825 | +$7,962 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $59,025 | $62,855▲ | -$3,830 |
| Total Employment | 41,600 | 33,600 | +8,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = San Francisco, CA minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $15,000 more (median: $131,000 vs $116,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 186 vs 162), Boston, MA provides better purchasing power ($70,430 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.