UX Designer · Salary Comparison · 2026
UX Designer Salary: Washington, DC vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for UX Designers in Washington, DC and New York, NY, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$114,000 vs $126,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Washington, DC
$75,000 vs $67,380
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Washington, DC
$64,795 vs $57,994
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Washington, DC | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $114,000 | $126,000▲ | -$12,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $87,780 | $97,020▲ | -$9,240 |
| 75th Percentile | $145,920 | $161,280▲ | -$15,360 |
| 90th Percentile | $182,400 | $201,600▲ | -$19,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 152 | 187 | -35 |
| State Income Tax | 6.5%▲ | 6.85% | -0.34999999999999964% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $75,000▲ | $67,380 | +$7,620 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $98,489 | $108,449▲ | -$9,960 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $64,795▲ | $57,994 | +$6,801 |
| Total Employment | 36,000 | 54,400 | -18,400 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Washington, DC minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $12,000 more (median: $114,000 vs $126,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 152 vs 187), Washington, DC provides better purchasing power ($75,000 vs $67,380 equivalent). Washington, DC has the lower state tax rate (6.5% vs 6.85%).
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.