School Counselor · Salary Comparison · 2026
School Counselor Salary: Houston, TX vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for School Counselors in Houston, TX and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$51,000 vs $70,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Houston, TX
$47,664 vs $37,634
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Houston, TX
$44,041 vs $31,540
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Houston, TX | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $51,000 | $70,000▲ | -$19,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $39,270 | $53,900▲ | -$14,630 |
| 75th Percentile | $65,280 | $89,600▲ | -$24,320 |
| 90th Percentile | $81,600 | $112,000▲ | -$30,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 107 | 186 | -79 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 9.3% | -9.3% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $47,664▲ | $37,634 | +$10,030 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $47,124 | $58,665▲ | -$11,541 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $44,041▲ | $31,540 | +$12,501 |
| Total Employment | 70,000 | 130,000 | -60,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Houston, TX minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $19,000 more (median: $51,000 vs $70,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 107 vs 186), Houston, TX provides better purchasing power ($47,664 vs $37,634 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.