School Counselor · Salary Comparison · 2026
School Counselor Salary: Memphis, TN vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for School Counselors in Memphis, TN and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Austin, TX
$38,000 vs $56,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Memphis, TN
$45,783 vs $45,161
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Memphis, TN
$42,304 vs $41,729
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $38,000 | $56,000▲ | -$18,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $29,260 | $43,120▲ | -$13,860 |
| 75th Percentile | $48,640 | $71,680▲ | -$23,040 |
| 90th Percentile | $60,800 | $89,600▲ | -$28,800 |
| Cost of Living Index | 83 | 124 | -41 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 0% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $45,783▲ | $45,161 | +$622 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $35,112 | $51,744▲ | -$16,632 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $42,304▲ | $41,729 | +$575 |
| Total Employment | 20,000 | 95,000 | -75,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Memphis, TN minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $18,000 more (median: $38,000 vs $56,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 83 vs 124), Memphis, TN provides better purchasing power ($45,783 vs $45,161 equivalent). Memphis, TN 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.