UX Designer · Salary Comparison · 2026
UX Designer Salary: Washington, DC vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for UX Designers in Washington, DC and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$114,000 vs $116,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Washington, DC
$75,000 vs $71,605
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Washington, DC
$64,795 vs $62,855
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Washington, DC | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $114,000 | $116,000▲ | -$2,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $87,780 | $89,320▲ | -$1,540 |
| 75th Percentile | $145,920 | $148,480▲ | -$2,560 |
| 90th Percentile | $182,400 | $185,600▲ | -$3,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 152 | 162 | -10 |
| State Income Tax | 6.5% | 5%▲ | +1.5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $75,000▲ | $71,605 | +$3,395 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $98,489 | $101,825▲ | -$3,336 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $64,795▲ | $62,855 | +$1,940 |
| Total Employment | 36,000 | 33,600 | +2,400 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Washington, DC minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $2,000 more (median: $114,000 vs $116,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 152 vs 162), Washington, DC provides better purchasing power ($75,000 vs $71,605 equivalent). Boston, MA has the lower state tax rate (5% vs 6.5%).
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.