School Counselor · Salary Comparison · 2026
School Counselor Salary: El Paso, TX vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for School Counselors in El Paso, TX and New York, NY, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$35,000 vs $67,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ El Paso, TX
$41,176 vs $35,829
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ El Paso, TX
$38,047 vs $30,838
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | El Paso, TX | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $35,000 | $67,000▲ | -$32,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $26,950 | $51,590▲ | -$24,640 |
| 75th Percentile | $44,800 | $85,760▲ | -$40,960 |
| 90th Percentile | $56,000 | $107,200▲ | -$51,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 85 | 187 | -102 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 6.85% | -6.85% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $41,176▲ | $35,829 | +$5,347 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $32,340 | $57,667▲ | -$25,327 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $38,047▲ | $30,838 | +$7,209 |
| Total Employment | 15,000 | 170,000 | -155,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = El Paso, TX minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $32,000 more (median: $35,000 vs $67,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 85 vs 187), El Paso, TX provides better purchasing power ($41,176 vs $35,829 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.