School Counselor · Salary Comparison · 2026
School Counselor Salary: Louisville, KY vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for School Counselors in Louisville, KY and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Austin, TX
$40,000 vs $56,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Louisville, KY
$45,977 vs $45,161
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$40,784 vs $41,729
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $40,000 | $56,000▲ | -$16,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $30,800 | $43,120▲ | -$12,320 |
| 75th Percentile | $51,200 | $71,680▲ | -$20,480 |
| 90th Percentile | $64,000 | $89,600▲ | -$25,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 87 | 124 | -37 |
| State Income Tax | 4% | 0%▲ | +4% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $45,977▲ | $45,161 | +$816 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $35,482 | $51,744▲ | -$16,262 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $40,784 | $41,729▲ | -$945 |
| Total Employment | 25,000 | 95,000 | -70,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Louisville, KY minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $16,000 more (median: $40,000 vs $56,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 87 vs 124), Louisville, KY provides better purchasing power ($45,977 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.