School Counselor · Salary Comparison · 2026
School Counselor Salary: Memphis, TN vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for School Counselors in Memphis, TN and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$38,000 vs $70,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Memphis, TN
$45,783 vs $37,634
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Memphis, TN
$42,304 vs $31,540
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Memphis, TN | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $38,000 | $70,000▲ | -$32,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $29,260 | $53,900▲ | -$24,640 |
| 75th Percentile | $48,640 | $89,600▲ | -$40,960 |
| 90th Percentile | $60,800 | $112,000▲ | -$51,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 83 | 186 | -103 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 9.3% | -9.3% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $45,783▲ | $37,634 | +$8,149 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $35,112 | $58,665▲ | -$23,553 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $42,304▲ | $31,540 | +$10,764 |
| Total Employment | 20,000 | 130,000 | -110,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Memphis, TN minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $32,000 more (median: $38,000 vs $70,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 83 vs 186), Memphis, TN provides better purchasing power ($45,783 vs $37,634 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.