School Counselor · Salary Comparison · 2026
School Counselor Salary: Minneapolis, MN vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for School Counselors in Minneapolis, MN and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$50,000 vs $62,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Minneapolis, MN
$45,045 vs $38,272
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Minneapolis, MN
$38,791 vs $33,595
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Minneapolis, MN | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $50,000 | $62,000▲ | -$12,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $38,500 | $47,740▲ | -$9,240 |
| 75th Percentile | $64,000 | $79,360▲ | -$15,360 |
| 90th Percentile | $80,000 | $99,200▲ | -$19,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 111 | 162 | -51 |
| State Income Tax | 6.8% | 5%▲ | +1.7999999999999998% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $45,045▲ | $38,272 | +$6,773 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $43,058 | $54,424▲ | -$11,366 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $38,791▲ | $33,595 | +$5,196 |
| Total Employment | 55,000 | 105,000 | -50,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Minneapolis, MN minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $12,000 more (median: $50,000 vs $62,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 111 vs 162), Minneapolis, MN provides better purchasing power ($45,045 vs $38,272 equivalent). Boston, MA has the lower state tax rate (5% vs 6.8%).
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.