School Counselor · Salary Comparison · 2026
School Counselor Salary: Nashville, TN vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for School Counselors in Nashville, TN and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$47,000 vs $62,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Nashville, TN
$42,727 vs $38,272
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Nashville, TN
$39,480 vs $33,595
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Nashville, TN | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $47,000 | $62,000▲ | -$15,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $36,190 | $47,740▲ | -$11,550 |
| 75th Percentile | $60,160 | $79,360▲ | -$19,200 |
| 90th Percentile | $75,200 | $99,200▲ | -$24,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 110 | 162 | -52 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 5% | -5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $42,727▲ | $38,272 | +$4,455 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $43,428 | $54,424▲ | -$10,996 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $39,480▲ | $33,595 | +$5,885 |
| Total Employment | 45,000 | 105,000 | -60,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Nashville, TN minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $15,000 more (median: $47,000 vs $62,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 110 vs 162), Nashville, TN provides better purchasing power ($42,727 vs $38,272 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.