School Counselor · Salary Comparison · 2026
School Counselor Salary: Chicago, IL vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for School Counselors in Chicago, IL and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$51,000 vs $62,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Chicago, IL
$47,664 vs $38,272
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Chicago, IL
$41,861 vs $33,595
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $51,000 | $62,000▲ | -$11,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $39,270 | $47,740▲ | -$8,470 |
| 75th Percentile | $65,280 | $79,360▲ | -$14,080 |
| 90th Percentile | $81,600 | $99,200▲ | -$17,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 107 | 162 | -55 |
| State Income Tax | 4.95%▲ | 5% | -0.04999999999999982% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $47,664▲ | $38,272 | +$9,392 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $44,791 | $54,424▲ | -$9,633 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $41,861▲ | $33,595 | +$8,266 |
| Total Employment | 87,500 | 105,000 | -17,500 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Chicago, IL minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $11,000 more (median: $51,000 vs $62,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 107 vs 162), Chicago, IL provides better purchasing power ($47,664 vs $38,272 equivalent). Chicago, IL has the lower state tax rate (4.95% vs 5%).
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.