School Counselor · Salary Comparison · 2026
School Counselor Salary: Raleigh, NC vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for School Counselors in Raleigh, NC and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$50,000 vs $62,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Raleigh, NC
$48,544 vs $38,272
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Raleigh, NC
$42,836 vs $33,595
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Raleigh, NC | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $50,000 | $62,000▲ | -$12,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $38,500 | $47,740▲ | -$9,240 |
| 75th Percentile | $64,000 | $79,360▲ | -$15,360 |
| 90th Percentile | $80,000 | $99,200▲ | -$19,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 103 | 162 | -59 |
| State Income Tax | 4.5%▲ | 5% | -0.5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $48,544▲ | $38,272 | +$10,272 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $44,121 | $54,424▲ | -$10,303 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $42,836▲ | $33,595 | +$9,241 |
| Total Employment | 55,000 | 105,000 | -50,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Raleigh, NC minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $12,000 more (median: $50,000 vs $62,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 103 vs 162), Raleigh, NC provides better purchasing power ($48,544 vs $38,272 equivalent). Raleigh, NC has the lower state tax rate (4.5% 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.