School Counselor · Salary Comparison · 2026
School Counselor Salary: Houston, TX vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for School Counselors in Houston, TX and New York, NY, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$51,000 vs $67,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Houston, TX
$47,664 vs $35,829
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Houston, TX
$44,041 vs $30,838
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Houston, TX | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $51,000 | $67,000▲ | -$16,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $39,270 | $51,590▲ | -$12,320 |
| 75th Percentile | $65,280 | $85,760▲ | -$20,480 |
| 90th Percentile | $81,600 | $107,200▲ | -$25,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 107 | 187 | -80 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 6.85% | -6.85% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $47,664▲ | $35,829 | +$11,835 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $47,124 | $57,667▲ | -$10,543 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $44,041▲ | $30,838 | +$13,203 |
| Total Employment | 70,000 | 170,000 | -100,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Houston, TX minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $16,000 more (median: $51,000 vs $67,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 107 vs 187), Houston, TX provides better purchasing power ($47,664 vs $35,829 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.