School Counselor · Salary Comparison · 2026
School Counselor Salary: Memphis, TN vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for School Counselors in Memphis, TN and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$38,000 vs $62,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Memphis, TN
$45,783 vs $38,272
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Memphis, TN
$42,304 vs $33,595
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $38,000 | $62,000▲ | -$24,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $29,260 | $47,740▲ | -$18,480 |
| 75th Percentile | $48,640 | $79,360▲ | -$30,720 |
| 90th Percentile | $60,800 | $99,200▲ | -$38,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 83 | 162 | -79 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 5% | -5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $45,783▲ | $38,272 | +$7,511 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $35,112 | $54,424▲ | -$19,312 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $42,304▲ | $33,595 | +$8,709 |
| Total Employment | 20,000 | 105,000 | -85,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Memphis, TN minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $24,000 more (median: $38,000 vs $62,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 83 vs 162), Memphis, TN provides better purchasing power ($45,783 vs $38,272 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.