School Counselor · Salary Comparison · 2026
School Counselor Salary: El Paso, TX vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for School Counselors in El Paso, TX and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$35,000 vs $62,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ El Paso, TX
$41,176 vs $38,272
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ El Paso, TX
$38,047 vs $33,595
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $35,000 | $62,000▲ | -$27,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $26,950 | $47,740▲ | -$20,790 |
| 75th Percentile | $44,800 | $79,360▲ | -$34,560 |
| 90th Percentile | $56,000 | $99,200▲ | -$43,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 85 | 162 | -77 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 5% | -5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $41,176▲ | $38,272 | +$2,904 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $32,340 | $54,424▲ | -$22,084 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $38,047▲ | $33,595 | +$4,452 |
| Total Employment | 15,000 | 105,000 | -90,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = El Paso, TX minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $27,000 more (median: $35,000 vs $62,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 85 vs 162), El Paso, TX provides better purchasing power ($41,176 vs $38,272 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.