School Counselor · Salary Comparison · 2026
School Counselor Salary: San Diego, CA vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for School Counselors in San Diego, CA and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$58,000 vs $62,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Boston, MA
$38,158 vs $38,272
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Boston, MA
$31,979 vs $33,595
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $58,000 | $62,000▲ | -$4,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $44,660 | $47,740▲ | -$3,080 |
| 75th Percentile | $74,240 | $79,360▲ | -$5,120 |
| 90th Percentile | $92,800 | $99,200▲ | -$6,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 152 | 162 | -10 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3% | 5%▲ | +4.300000000000001% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $38,158 | $38,272▲ | -$114 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $48,608 | $54,424▲ | -$5,816 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $31,979 | $33,595▲ | -$1,616 |
| Total Employment | 60,000 | 105,000 | -45,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = San Diego, CA minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $4,000 more (median: $58,000 vs $62,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 152 vs 162), Boston, MA provides better purchasing power ($38,158 vs $38,272 equivalent). Boston, MA has the lower state tax rate (5% vs 9.3%).
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.