School Counselor · Salary Comparison · 2026
School Counselor Salary: Atlanta, GA vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for School Counselors in Atlanta, GA and New York, NY, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$50,000 vs $67,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Atlanta, GA
$46,296 vs $35,829
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Atlanta, GA
$40,430 vs $30,838
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Atlanta, GA | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $50,000 | $67,000▲ | -$17,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $38,500 | $51,590▲ | -$13,090 |
| 75th Percentile | $64,000 | $85,760▲ | -$21,760 |
| 90th Percentile | $80,000 | $107,200▲ | -$27,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 108 | 187 | -79 |
| State Income Tax | 5.49%▲ | 6.85% | -1.3599999999999994% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $46,296▲ | $35,829 | +$10,467 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $43,664 | $57,667▲ | -$14,003 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $40,430▲ | $30,838 | +$9,592 |
| Total Employment | 75,000 | 170,000 | -95,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Atlanta, GA minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $17,000 more (median: $50,000 vs $67,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 108 vs 187), Atlanta, GA provides better purchasing power ($46,296 vs $35,829 equivalent). Atlanta, GA has the lower state tax rate (5.49% 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.