School Counselor · Salary Comparison · 2026
School Counselor Salary: New York, NY vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for School Counselors in New York, NY and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$67,000 vs $56,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$35,829 vs $45,161
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$30,838 vs $41,729
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | New York, NY | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $67,000▲ | $56,000 | +$11,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $51,590▲ | $43,120 | +$8,470 |
| 75th Percentile | $85,760▲ | $71,680 | +$14,080 |
| 90th Percentile | $107,200▲ | $89,600 | +$17,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 187 | 124 | +63 |
| State Income Tax | 6.85% | 0%▲ | +6.85% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $35,829 | $45,161▲ | -$9,332 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $57,667▲ | $51,744 | +$5,923 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $30,838 | $41,729▲ | -$10,891 |
| Total Employment | 170,000 | 95,000 | +75,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = New York, NY minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $11,000 more (median: $67,000 vs $56,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 187 vs 124), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($35,829 vs $45,161 equivalent). Austin, TX 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.