UX Designer Salary

Houston vs Huntsville: UX Designer Salary (2026)

Compare ux designer salaries between Houston, TX and Huntsville, TX. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Houston, TX
$77,512
$37.27/hr
Huntsville, TX
$71,616
$34.43/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHouston, TXHuntsville, TX
Median Salary$77,512$71,616
Hourly Rate$37.27$34.43
Entry Level (P10)$44,111$41,538
25th Percentile$61,633$51,564
75th Percentile$104,158$91,669
Top Earner (P90)$132,751$111,005
Total Employed83011
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Houston ($77,512) and Huntsville ($71,616) ux designer salaries.HoustonHuntsvilleMedian Salary$77,512$71,616Entry Level (P10)$44,111$41,538Top Earner (P90)$132,751$111,005US Median $83,320

Verdict

Houston, TX offers better overall compensation for ux designers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Huntsville.

The salary gap between Houston and Huntsville is $5,896 (8.23%). Houston's median is -6.97% compared to the US national median of $83,320.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Houston spans $88,640,Huntsville spans $69,467. Houston has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Houston
P10 (Entry)$44,111
P25$61,633
Median$77,512
P75$104,158
P90 (Top)$132,751
Huntsville
P10 (Entry)$41,538
P25$51,564
Median$71,616
P75$91,669
P90 (Top)$111,005

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Houston ($78,589 effective) pays 5.35% more than Huntsville ($74,600 effective).

Houston
Nominal: $77,512
CoL Index: 98.629
Adjusted: $78,589
Huntsville
Nominal: $71,616
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $74,600

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Houston if…

  • Higher median salary ($77,512/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($132,751)
  • Larger job market (830 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $78,589)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose Huntsville if…

  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, ux designer salaries in Houston grew -5.2% from 2021 to 2025, compared to -29.8% growth in Huntsville over the same period.

Houston, TX

+-5.2%

$76,520 (2021) → $72,563 (2025)

Huntsville, TX

+-29.8%

$95,445 (2024) → $67,044 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays ux designers more: Houston or Huntsville?

Houston has a higher median ux designer salary at $77,512/year, compared to Huntsville at $71,616/year — a difference of $5,896 (8.23%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Houston and Huntsville?

Houston ux designers earn $37.27/hr while Huntsville hygienists earn $34.43/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Houston to Huntsville as a ux designer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Houston and Huntsville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Houston = $78,589, Huntsville = $74,600), job availability (830 vs 11 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level ux designers earn in Houston vs Huntsville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) ux designers earn $44,111 in Houston and $41,538 in Huntsville. The Houston area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

MC

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.

Clinically reviewed by Ismail Khan, BA, UXDData verified by Aisha Patel, MS

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