Entry Level
$70,000
Average
$105,000
Senior
$155,000
UX designers research user needs, create wireframes and prototypes, and design intuitive digital experiences. The role sits at the intersection of design, psychology, and technology. Major tech companies and well-funded startups in coastal cities offer the most competitive compensation.
Building strong skills in user research and data-driven design decision-making sets you apart. A portfolio showing measurable impact (conversion improvements, task completion rates) is more compelling than aesthetic polish alone. Senior UX roles at FAANG companies regularly exceed $200K total compensation.
Use the calculator above to compare ux designer purchasing power between these cities.
Compare ux designer salaries across 50+ US cities. See how far your paycheck goes with cost of living adjustments.
You save $48,079 less in Austin
Austin is 45.8% cheaper
$48,079/yr less needed
Annual cost estimates based on typical household spending proportions applied to your salary.
100 = US National Average
Monthly estimates based on typical household spending proportions. Actual costs vary by lifestyle and neighborhood.
San Francisco
-$55,807
Est. annual savings
-53.1% savings rate
Austin
-$28,707
Est. annual savings
-50.4% savings rate
CA (9.3%)
$95,235
After state tax
TX (0%)
$56,921
After state tax
What if you earn a San Francisco salary but live in Austin?
$105,000
$160,807
-$55,807
$105,000
$85,628
$19,372
$56,921
$85,628
-$28,707
Remote work arbitrage assumes you keep your San Francisco salary while living in Austin. Does not account for state tax differences or employer location-based pay adjustments.
Projected wealth from investing annual savings at 7% return
Live in San Francisco
$0
After 10 years
Live in Austin
$0
After 10 years
Remote Worker Savings
$267,652
After 10 years
Assumes annual savings invested at 7% average annual return (historical S&P 500 average after inflation). Does not account for taxes on investment gains.
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Estimates based on publicly available cost of living data. Actual costs may vary by neighborhood, lifestyle, and personal circumstances. Tax rates shown are approximate state income tax rates and do not include federal, local, or property taxes.
A $100,000 salary in San Francisco has very different purchasing power than the same salary in Austin or Des Moines. Cost of living varies dramatically across the US, with housing often being the biggest differentiator. This tool helps you make informed decisions about job offers, relocations, and remote work.
We use a composite cost of living index where 100 represents the US national average. Each city is scored across five categories: housing, food, transportation, healthcare, and utilities. Your equivalent salary is calculated by adjusting for the ratio between the two cities' overall cost indexes.
Beyond raw salary comparison, consider state income tax differences, commute costs, quality of life factors, and career growth opportunities. A lower cost of living city with no state income tax can dramatically increase your savings rate and accelerate your financial goals.
Remote workers earning a high-cost-city salary while living in a low-cost area can save 30-50% more annually. This “geographic arbitrage” compounds dramatically. A $20,000/year savings advantage invested at 7% becomes over $300,000 in 10 years.
The city you choose affects not just your monthly budget but your lifetime wealth trajectory. Higher savings rates in affordable cities compound over decades. A 10% higher savings rate over 20 years can mean $500,000+ more at retirement.
Insights
Your salary is worth $48,079 less in the comparison city due to higher living costs.
Remote work arbitrage: you could save $75,179/year by working remotely from a lower-cost area.
Your inputs carry over automatically. Just pick a tool.
Compare salary purchasing power between US cities. See how far your paycheck goes with cost of living adjustments for housing, food, transport, healthcare, and utilities.
The calculator uses a cost of living index for 50+ US cities where 100 represents the national average. Your salary is adjusted by the ratio between two cities' indexes to show the equivalent purchasing power. For example, a $100K salary in a city with index 190 equals about $54K in a city with index 103.
The index includes five major categories: housing (the largest factor), food and groceries, transportation, healthcare, and utilities. Each category is weighted based on typical US household spending proportions.
The core comparison feature is free, including city-to-city salary equivalents, category breakdowns, and visual charts. PRO features include city rankings, annual savings analysis, and state tax impact comparisons.
