School Counselor · Salary Comparison · 2026
School Counselor Salary: El Paso, TX vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for School Counselors in El Paso, TX and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Austin, TX
$35,000 vs $56,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$41,176 vs $45,161
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$38,047 vs $41,729
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $35,000 | $56,000▲ | -$21,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $26,950 | $43,120▲ | -$16,170 |
| 75th Percentile | $44,800 | $71,680▲ | -$26,880 |
| 90th Percentile | $56,000 | $89,600▲ | -$33,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 85 | 124 | -39 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 0% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $41,176 | $45,161▲ | -$3,985 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $32,340 | $51,744▲ | -$19,404 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $38,047 | $41,729▲ | -$3,682 |
| Total Employment | 15,000 | 95,000 | -80,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = El Paso, TX minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $21,000 more (median: $35,000 vs $56,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 85 vs 124), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($41,176 vs $45,161 equivalent). El Paso, 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.