UX Designer · Salary Comparison · 2026
UX Designer Salary: Washington, DC vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for UX Designers in Washington, DC and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Washington, DC
$114,000 vs $105,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$75,000 vs $84,677
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$64,795 vs $78,242
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Washington, DC | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $114,000▲ | $105,000 | +$9,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $87,780▲ | $80,850 | +$6,930 |
| 75th Percentile | $145,920▲ | $134,400 | +$11,520 |
| 90th Percentile | $182,400▲ | $168,000 | +$14,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 152 | 124 | +28 |
| State Income Tax | 6.5% | 0%▲ | +6.5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $75,000 | $84,677▲ | -$9,677 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $98,489▲ | $97,020 | +$1,469 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $64,795 | $78,242▲ | -$13,447 |
| Total Employment | 36,000 | 30,400 | +5,600 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Washington, DC minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Washington, DC pays $9,000 more (median: $114,000 vs $105,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 152 vs 124), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($75,000 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.