School Counselor · Salary Comparison · 2026
School Counselor Salary: Memphis, TN vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for School Counselors in Memphis, TN and New York, NY, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$38,000 vs $67,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Memphis, TN
$45,783 vs $35,829
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Memphis, TN
$42,304 vs $30,838
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Memphis, TN | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $38,000 | $67,000▲ | -$29,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $29,260 | $51,590▲ | -$22,330 |
| 75th Percentile | $48,640 | $85,760▲ | -$37,120 |
| 90th Percentile | $60,800 | $107,200▲ | -$46,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 83 | 187 | -104 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 6.85% | -6.85% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $45,783▲ | $35,829 | +$9,954 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $35,112 | $57,667▲ | -$22,555 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $42,304▲ | $30,838 | +$11,466 |
| Total Employment | 20,000 | 170,000 | -150,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Memphis, TN minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $29,000 more (median: $38,000 vs $67,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 83 vs 187), Memphis, TN provides better purchasing power ($45,783 vs $35,829 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.