School Counselor · Salary Comparison · 2026
School Counselor Salary: Los Angeles, CA vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for School Counselors in Los Angeles, CA and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Los Angeles, CA
$60,000 vs $56,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$34,682 vs $45,161
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$29,066 vs $41,729
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $60,000▲ | $56,000 | +$4,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $46,200▲ | $43,120 | +$3,080 |
| 75th Percentile | $76,800▲ | $71,680 | +$5,120 |
| 90th Percentile | $96,000▲ | $89,600 | +$6,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 173 | 124 | +49 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3% | 0%▲ | +9.3% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $34,682 | $45,161▲ | -$10,479 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $50,284 | $51,744▲ | -$1,460 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $29,066 | $41,729▲ | -$12,663 |
| Total Employment | 120,000 | 95,000 | +25,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Los Angeles, CA minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Los Angeles, CA pays $4,000 more (median: $60,000 vs $56,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 173 vs 124), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($34,682 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.