School Counselor · Salary Comparison · 2026
School Counselor Salary: Indianapolis, IN vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for School Counselors in Indianapolis, IN and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Austin, TX
$43,000 vs $56,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Indianapolis, IN
$47,778 vs $45,161
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Indianapolis, IN
$42,756 vs $41,729
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $43,000 | $56,000▲ | -$13,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $33,110 | $43,120▲ | -$10,010 |
| 75th Percentile | $55,040 | $71,680▲ | -$16,640 |
| 90th Percentile | $68,800 | $89,600▲ | -$20,800 |
| Cost of Living Index | 90 | 124 | -34 |
| State Income Tax | 3.15% | 0%▲ | +3.15% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $47,778▲ | $45,161 | +$2,617 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $38,480 | $51,744▲ | -$13,264 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $42,756▲ | $41,729 | +$1,027 |
| Total Employment | 37,500 | 95,000 | -57,500 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Indianapolis, IN minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $13,000 more (median: $43,000 vs $56,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 90 vs 124), Indianapolis, IN provides better purchasing power ($47,778 vs $45,161 equivalent). Austin, 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.