School Counselor · Salary Comparison · 2026
School Counselor Salary: Phoenix, AZ vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for School Counselors in Phoenix, AZ and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$49,000 vs $62,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Phoenix, AZ
$47,573 vs $38,272
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Phoenix, AZ
$42,858 vs $33,595
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $49,000 | $62,000▲ | -$13,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $37,730 | $47,740▲ | -$10,010 |
| 75th Percentile | $62,720 | $79,360▲ | -$16,640 |
| 90th Percentile | $78,400 | $99,200▲ | -$20,800 |
| Cost of Living Index | 103 | 162 | -59 |
| State Income Tax | 2.5%▲ | 5% | -2.5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $47,573▲ | $38,272 | +$9,301 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $44,144 | $54,424▲ | -$10,280 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $42,858▲ | $33,595 | +$9,263 |
| Total Employment | 62,500 | 105,000 | -42,500 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Phoenix, AZ minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $13,000 more (median: $49,000 vs $62,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 103 vs 162), Phoenix, AZ provides better purchasing power ($47,573 vs $38,272 equivalent). Phoenix, AZ has the lower state tax rate (2.5% vs 5%).
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.