School Counselor · Salary Comparison · 2026
School Counselor Salary: San Francisco, CA vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for School Counselors in San Francisco, CA and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$70,000 vs $56,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$37,634 vs $45,161
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$31,540 vs $41,729
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | San Francisco, CA | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $70,000▲ | $56,000 | +$14,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $53,900▲ | $43,120 | +$10,780 |
| 75th Percentile | $89,600▲ | $71,680 | +$17,920 |
| 90th Percentile | $112,000▲ | $89,600 | +$22,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 186 | 124 | +62 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3% | 0%▲ | +9.3% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $37,634 | $45,161▲ | -$7,527 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $58,665▲ | $51,744 | +$6,921 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $31,540 | $41,729▲ | -$10,189 |
| Total Employment | 130,000 | 95,000 | +35,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = San Francisco, CA minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $14,000 more (median: $70,000 vs $56,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 186 vs 124), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($37,634 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.