School Counselor · Salary Comparison · 2026
School Counselor Salary: Houston, TX vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for School Counselors in Houston, TX and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Austin, TX
$51,000 vs $56,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Houston, TX
$47,664 vs $45,161
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Houston, TX
$44,041 vs $41,729
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Houston, TX | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $51,000 | $56,000▲ | -$5,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $39,270 | $43,120▲ | -$3,850 |
| 75th Percentile | $65,280 | $71,680▲ | -$6,400 |
| 90th Percentile | $81,600 | $89,600▲ | -$8,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 107 | 124 | -17 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 0% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $47,664▲ | $45,161 | +$2,503 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $47,124 | $51,744▲ | -$4,620 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $44,041▲ | $41,729 | +$2,312 |
| Total Employment | 70,000 | 95,000 | -25,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Houston, TX minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $5,000 more (median: $51,000 vs $56,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 107 vs 124), Houston, TX provides better purchasing power ($47,664 vs $45,161 equivalent). Houston, 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.