School Counselor · Salary Comparison · 2026
School Counselor Salary: Houston, TX vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for School Counselors in Houston, TX and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$51,000 vs $62,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Houston, TX
$47,664 vs $38,272
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Houston, TX
$44,041 vs $33,595
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Houston, TX | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $51,000 | $62,000▲ | -$11,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $39,270 | $47,740▲ | -$8,470 |
| 75th Percentile | $65,280 | $79,360▲ | -$14,080 |
| 90th Percentile | $81,600 | $99,200▲ | -$17,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 107 | 162 | -55 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 5% | -5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $47,664▲ | $38,272 | +$9,392 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $47,124 | $54,424▲ | -$7,300 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $44,041▲ | $33,595 | +$10,446 |
| Total Employment | 70,000 | 105,000 | -35,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Houston, TX minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $11,000 more (median: $51,000 vs $62,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 107 vs 162), Houston, TX provides better purchasing power ($47,664 vs $38,272 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.