School Counselor · Salary Comparison · 2026
School Counselor Salary: Raleigh, NC vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for School Counselors in Raleigh, NC and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Austin, TX
$50,000 vs $56,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Raleigh, NC
$48,544 vs $45,161
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Raleigh, NC
$42,836 vs $41,729
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $50,000 | $56,000▲ | -$6,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $38,500 | $43,120▲ | -$4,620 |
| 75th Percentile | $64,000 | $71,680▲ | -$7,680 |
| 90th Percentile | $80,000 | $89,600▲ | -$9,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 103 | 124 | -21 |
| State Income Tax | 4.5% | 0%▲ | +4.5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $48,544▲ | $45,161 | +$3,383 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $44,121 | $51,744▲ | -$7,623 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $42,836▲ | $41,729 | +$1,107 |
| Total Employment | 55,000 | 95,000 | -40,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Raleigh, NC minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $6,000 more (median: $50,000 vs $56,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 103 vs 124), Raleigh, NC provides better purchasing power ($48,544 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.