School Counselor · Salary Comparison · 2026
School Counselor Salary: Indianapolis, IN vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for School Counselors in Indianapolis, IN and New York, NY, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$43,000 vs $67,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Indianapolis, IN
$47,778 vs $35,829
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Indianapolis, IN
$42,756 vs $30,838
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $43,000 | $67,000▲ | -$24,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $33,110 | $51,590▲ | -$18,480 |
| 75th Percentile | $55,040 | $85,760▲ | -$30,720 |
| 90th Percentile | $68,800 | $107,200▲ | -$38,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 90 | 187 | -97 |
| State Income Tax | 3.15%▲ | 6.85% | -3.6999999999999997% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $47,778▲ | $35,829 | +$11,949 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $38,480 | $57,667▲ | -$19,187 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $42,756▲ | $30,838 | +$11,918 |
| Total Employment | 37,500 | 170,000 | -132,500 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Indianapolis, IN minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $24,000 more (median: $43,000 vs $67,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 90 vs 187), Indianapolis, IN provides better purchasing power ($47,778 vs $35,829 equivalent). Indianapolis, IN has the lower state tax rate (3.15% vs 6.85%).
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.