School Counselor · Salary Comparison · 2026
School Counselor Salary: Dallas, TX vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for School Counselors in Dallas, TX and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Austin, TX
$53,000 vs $56,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Dallas, TX
$47,321 vs $45,161
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Dallas, TX
$43,725 vs $41,729
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $53,000 | $56,000▲ | -$3,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $40,810 | $43,120▲ | -$2,310 |
| 75th Percentile | $67,840 | $71,680▲ | -$3,840 |
| 90th Percentile | $84,800 | $89,600▲ | -$4,800 |
| Cost of Living Index | 112 | 124 | -12 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 0% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $47,321▲ | $45,161 | +$2,160 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $48,972 | $51,744▲ | -$2,772 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $43,725▲ | $41,729 | +$1,996 |
| Total Employment | 87,500 | 95,000 | -7,500 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Dallas, TX minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $3,000 more (median: $53,000 vs $56,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 112 vs 124), Dallas, TX provides better purchasing power ($47,321 vs $45,161 equivalent). Dallas, 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.