School Counselor · Salary Comparison · 2026
School Counselor Salary: Indianapolis, IN vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for School Counselors in Indianapolis, IN and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$43,000 vs $62,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Indianapolis, IN
$47,778 vs $38,272
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Indianapolis, IN
$42,756 vs $33,595
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $43,000 | $62,000▲ | -$19,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $33,110 | $47,740▲ | -$14,630 |
| 75th Percentile | $55,040 | $79,360▲ | -$24,320 |
| 90th Percentile | $68,800 | $99,200▲ | -$30,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 90 | 162 | -72 |
| State Income Tax | 3.15%▲ | 5% | -1.85% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $47,778▲ | $38,272 | +$9,506 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $38,480 | $54,424▲ | -$15,944 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $42,756▲ | $33,595 | +$9,161 |
| Total Employment | 37,500 | 105,000 | -67,500 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Indianapolis, IN minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $19,000 more (median: $43,000 vs $62,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 90 vs 162), Indianapolis, IN provides better purchasing power ($47,778 vs $38,272 equivalent). Indianapolis, IN has the lower state tax rate (3.15% vs 5%).
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.