School Counselor · Salary Comparison · 2026
School Counselor Salary: Richmond, VA vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for School Counselors in Richmond, VA and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Austin, TX
$46,000 vs $56,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Richmond, VA
$45,545 vs $45,161
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$39,663 vs $41,729
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Richmond, VA | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $46,000 | $56,000▲ | -$10,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $35,420 | $43,120▲ | -$7,700 |
| 75th Percentile | $58,880 | $71,680▲ | -$12,800 |
| 90th Percentile | $73,600 | $89,600▲ | -$16,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 101 | 124 | -23 |
| State Income Tax | 5.75% | 0%▲ | +5.75% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $45,545▲ | $45,161 | +$384 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $40,060 | $51,744▲ | -$11,684 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $39,663 | $41,729▲ | -$2,066 |
| Total Employment | 35,000 | 95,000 | -60,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Richmond, VA minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $10,000 more (median: $46,000 vs $56,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 101 vs 124), Richmond, VA provides better purchasing power ($45,545 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.