School Counselor · Salary Comparison · 2026
School Counselor Salary: Phoenix, AZ vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for School Counselors in Phoenix, AZ and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Austin, TX
$49,000 vs $56,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Phoenix, AZ
$47,573 vs $45,161
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Phoenix, AZ
$42,858 vs $41,729
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $49,000 | $56,000▲ | -$7,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $37,730 | $43,120▲ | -$5,390 |
| 75th Percentile | $62,720 | $71,680▲ | -$8,960 |
| 90th Percentile | $78,400 | $89,600▲ | -$11,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 103 | 124 | -21 |
| State Income Tax | 2.5% | 0%▲ | +2.5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $47,573▲ | $45,161 | +$2,412 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $44,144 | $51,744▲ | -$7,600 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $42,858▲ | $41,729 | +$1,129 |
| Total Employment | 62,500 | 95,000 | -32,500 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Phoenix, AZ minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $7,000 more (median: $49,000 vs $56,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 103 vs 124), Phoenix, AZ provides better purchasing power ($47,573 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.