Albuquerque vs Santa Fe: UX Designer Salary (2026)
Compare ux designer salaries between Albuquerque, NM and Santa Fe, NM. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | Albuquerque, NM | Santa Fe, NM |
|---|---|---|
| Median Salary | $46,611 | $67,200▲ |
| Hourly Rate | $22.41 | $32.31▲ |
| Entry Level (P10) | $23,803 | $29,226▲ |
| 25th Percentile | $37,454 | $41,307▲ |
| 75th Percentile | $63,796 | $88,463▲ |
| Top Earner (P90) | $99,271 | $104,575▲ |
| Total Employed | 100▲ | 30 |
Verdict
Santa Fe, NM offers better overall compensation for ux designers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Albuquerque.
The salary gap between Albuquerque and Santa Fe is $20,589 (44.17%). Santa Fe's median is -19.35% compared to the US national median of $83,320.
Salary Range Comparison
The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Albuquerque spans $75,468,Santa Fe spans $75,349. Albuquerque has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison
After cost-of-living adjustment, Santa Fe ($68,039 effective) pays 39.47% more than Albuquerque ($48,784 effective).
Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.
Which City Is Right for You?
Choose Albuquerque if…
- ✓Larger job market (100 employed)
- ✓You prefer the New Mexico area and lifestyle
Choose Santa Fe if…
- ✓Higher median salary ($67,200/year)
- ✓Better top-earner potential ($104,575)
- ✓Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $68,039)
- ✓You prefer the New Mexico area and lifestyle
Historical Salary Growth Comparison
Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, ux designer salaries in Albuquerque grew -11.1% from 2021 to 2025, compared to -12.0% growth in Santa Fe over the same period.
Albuquerque, NM
$49,080 (2021) → $43,635 (2025)
Santa Fe, NM
$71,450 (2022) → $62,910 (2025)
View Full Salary Data
Albuquerque, NM
Santa Fe, NM
Frequently Asked Questions
Which city pays ux designers more: Albuquerque or Santa Fe?
What is the hourly rate difference between Albuquerque and Santa Fe?
Should I relocate from Albuquerque to Santa Fe as a ux designer?
What do entry-level ux designers earn in Albuquerque vs Santa Fe?
Written by Maria Chen, MDes
Content Lead
Maria has over 10 years of experience in user experience design. She specializes in usability testing and user research. Maria has worked with tech companies and startups.
Methodology & Data Source
All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 6.82% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS , released .
Compiled and verified by Maria Chen, MDes, a licensed ux designer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov