School Counselor · Salary Comparison · 2026
School Counselor Salary: Columbus, OH vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for School Counselors in Columbus, OH and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Austin, TX
$45,000 vs $56,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Columbus, OH
$49,451 vs $45,161
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Columbus, OH
$43,869 vs $41,729
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $45,000 | $56,000▲ | -$11,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $34,650 | $43,120▲ | -$8,470 |
| 75th Percentile | $57,600 | $71,680▲ | -$14,080 |
| 90th Percentile | $72,000 | $89,600▲ | -$17,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 91 | 124 | -33 |
| State Income Tax | 3.99% | 0%▲ | +3.99% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $49,451▲ | $45,161 | +$4,290 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $39,921 | $51,744▲ | -$11,823 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $43,869▲ | $41,729 | +$2,140 |
| Total Employment | 40,000 | 95,000 | -55,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Columbus, OH minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $11,000 more (median: $45,000 vs $56,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 91 vs 124), Columbus, OH provides better purchasing power ($49,451 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.