School Counselor · Salary Comparison · 2026
School Counselor Salary: Columbus, OH vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for School Counselors in Columbus, OH and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$45,000 vs $62,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Columbus, OH
$49,451 vs $38,272
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Columbus, OH
$43,869 vs $33,595
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Columbus, OH | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $45,000 | $62,000▲ | -$17,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $34,650 | $47,740▲ | -$13,090 |
| 75th Percentile | $57,600 | $79,360▲ | -$21,760 |
| 90th Percentile | $72,000 | $99,200▲ | -$27,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 91 | 162 | -71 |
| State Income Tax | 3.99%▲ | 5% | -1.0099999999999998% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $49,451▲ | $38,272 | +$11,179 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $39,921 | $54,424▲ | -$14,503 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $43,869▲ | $33,595 | +$10,274 |
| Total Employment | 40,000 | 105,000 | -65,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Columbus, OH minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $17,000 more (median: $45,000 vs $62,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 91 vs 162), Columbus, OH provides better purchasing power ($49,451 vs $38,272 equivalent). Columbus, OH has the lower state tax rate (3.99% 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.