School Counselor · Salary Comparison · 2026
School Counselor Salary: Atlanta, GA vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for School Counselors in Atlanta, GA and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Austin, TX
$50,000 vs $56,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Atlanta, GA
$46,296 vs $45,161
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$40,430 vs $41,729
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $50,000 | $56,000▲ | -$6,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $38,500 | $43,120▲ | -$4,620 |
| 75th Percentile | $64,000 | $71,680▲ | -$7,680 |
| 90th Percentile | $80,000 | $89,600▲ | -$9,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 108 | 124 | -16 |
| State Income Tax | 5.49% | 0%▲ | +5.49% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $46,296▲ | $45,161 | +$1,135 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $43,664 | $51,744▲ | -$8,080 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $40,430 | $41,729▲ | -$1,299 |
| Total Employment | 75,000 | 95,000 | -20,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Atlanta, GA minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $6,000 more (median: $50,000 vs $56,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 108 vs 124), Atlanta, GA provides better purchasing power ($46,296 vs $45,161 equivalent). Austin, TX has no state income tax, which is a significant advantage.
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.