School Counselor · Salary Comparison · 2026
School Counselor Salary: Denver, CO vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for School Counselors in Denver, CO and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Austin, TX
$54,000 vs $56,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$42,188 vs $45,161
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$37,266 vs $41,729
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Denver, CO | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $54,000 | $56,000▲ | -$2,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $41,580 | $43,120▲ | -$1,540 |
| 75th Percentile | $69,120 | $71,680▲ | -$2,560 |
| 90th Percentile | $86,400 | $89,600▲ | -$3,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 128 | 124 | +4 |
| State Income Tax | 4.4% | 0%▲ | +4.4% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $42,188 | $45,161▲ | -$2,973 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $47,701 | $51,744▲ | -$4,043 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $37,266 | $41,729▲ | -$4,463 |
| Total Employment | 70,000 | 95,000 | -25,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Denver, CO minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $2,000 more (median: $54,000 vs $56,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 128 vs 124), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($42,188 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.