School Counselor · Salary Comparison · 2026
School Counselor Salary: Nashville, TN vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for School Counselors in Nashville, TN and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Austin, TX
$47,000 vs $56,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$42,727 vs $45,161
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$39,480 vs $41,729
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Nashville, TN | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $47,000 | $56,000▲ | -$9,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $36,190 | $43,120▲ | -$6,930 |
| 75th Percentile | $60,160 | $71,680▲ | -$11,520 |
| 90th Percentile | $75,200 | $89,600▲ | -$14,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 110 | 124 | -14 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 0% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $42,727 | $45,161▲ | -$2,434 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $43,428 | $51,744▲ | -$8,316 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $39,480 | $41,729▲ | -$2,249 |
| Total Employment | 45,000 | 95,000 | -50,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Nashville, TN minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $9,000 more (median: $47,000 vs $56,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 110 vs 124), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($42,727 vs $45,161 equivalent). Nashville, 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.