School Counselor · Salary Comparison · 2026
School Counselor Salary: Nashville, TN vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for School Counselors in Nashville, TN and New York, NY, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$47,000 vs $67,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Nashville, TN
$42,727 vs $35,829
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Nashville, TN
$39,480 vs $30,838
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Nashville, TN | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $47,000 | $67,000▲ | -$20,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $36,190 | $51,590▲ | -$15,400 |
| 75th Percentile | $60,160 | $85,760▲ | -$25,600 |
| 90th Percentile | $75,200 | $107,200▲ | -$32,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 110 | 187 | -77 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 6.85% | -6.85% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $42,727▲ | $35,829 | +$6,898 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $43,428 | $57,667▲ | -$14,239 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $39,480▲ | $30,838 | +$8,642 |
| Total Employment | 45,000 | 170,000 | -125,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Nashville, TN minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $20,000 more (median: $47,000 vs $67,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 110 vs 187), Nashville, TN provides better purchasing power ($42,727 vs $35,829 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.