School Counselor · Salary Comparison · 2026
School Counselor Salary: Boston, MA vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for School Counselors in Boston, MA and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$62,000 vs $56,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$38,272 vs $45,161
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$33,595 vs $41,729
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Boston, MA | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $62,000▲ | $56,000 | +$6,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $47,740▲ | $43,120 | +$4,620 |
| 75th Percentile | $79,360▲ | $71,680 | +$7,680 |
| 90th Percentile | $99,200▲ | $89,600 | +$9,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 162 | 124 | +38 |
| State Income Tax | 5% | 0%▲ | +5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $38,272 | $45,161▲ | -$6,889 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $54,424▲ | $51,744 | +$2,680 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $33,595 | $41,729▲ | -$8,134 |
| Total Employment | 105,000 | 95,000 | +10,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Boston, MA minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $6,000 more (median: $62,000 vs $56,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 162 vs 124), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($38,272 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.