School Counselor · Salary Comparison · 2026
School Counselor Salary: Detroit, MI vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for School Counselors in Detroit, MI and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Austin, TX
$43,000 vs $56,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Detroit, MI
$48,315 vs $45,161
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Detroit, MI
$42,745 vs $41,729
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $43,000 | $56,000▲ | -$13,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $33,110 | $43,120▲ | -$10,010 |
| 75th Percentile | $55,040 | $71,680▲ | -$16,640 |
| 90th Percentile | $68,800 | $89,600▲ | -$20,800 |
| Cost of Living Index | 89 | 124 | -35 |
| State Income Tax | 4.25% | 0%▲ | +4.25% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $48,315▲ | $45,161 | +$3,154 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $38,043 | $51,744▲ | -$13,701 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $42,745▲ | $41,729 | +$1,016 |
| Total Employment | 37,500 | 95,000 | -57,500 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Detroit, MI minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $13,000 more (median: $43,000 vs $56,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 89 vs 124), Detroit, MI provides better purchasing power ($48,315 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.