School Counselor · Salary Comparison · 2026
School Counselor Salary: Nashville, TN vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for School Counselors in Nashville, TN and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$47,000 vs $70,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Nashville, TN
$42,727 vs $37,634
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Nashville, TN
$39,480 vs $31,540
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Nashville, TN | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $47,000 | $70,000▲ | -$23,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $36,190 | $53,900▲ | -$17,710 |
| 75th Percentile | $60,160 | $89,600▲ | -$29,440 |
| 90th Percentile | $75,200 | $112,000▲ | -$36,800 |
| Cost of Living Index | 110 | 186 | -76 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 9.3% | -9.3% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $42,727▲ | $37,634 | +$5,093 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $43,428 | $58,665▲ | -$15,237 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $39,480▲ | $31,540 | +$7,940 |
| Total Employment | 45,000 | 130,000 | -85,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Nashville, TN minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $23,000 more (median: $47,000 vs $70,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 110 vs 186), Nashville, TN provides better purchasing power ($42,727 vs $37,634 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.