UX Designer · Salary Comparison · 2026
UX Designer Salary: Seattle, WA vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for UX Designers in Seattle, WA and New York, NY, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$128,000 vs $126,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Seattle, WA
$79,012 vs $67,380
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Seattle, WA
$73,007 vs $57,994
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Seattle, WA | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $128,000▲ | $126,000 | +$2,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $98,560▲ | $97,020 | +$1,540 |
| 75th Percentile | $163,840▲ | $161,280 | +$2,560 |
| 90th Percentile | $204,800▲ | $201,600 | +$3,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 162 | 187 | -25 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 6.85% | -6.85% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $79,012▲ | $67,380 | +$11,632 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $118,272▲ | $108,449 | +$9,823 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $73,007▲ | $57,994 | +$15,013 |
| Total Employment | 46,400 | 54,400 | -8,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Seattle, WA minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $2,000 more (median: $128,000 vs $126,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 162 vs 187), Seattle, WA provides better purchasing power ($79,012 vs $67,380 equivalent). Seattle, WA 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.