Real Estate Agent Pay

Boston vs Somerville: Real Estate Agent Salary (2026)

Compare real estate agent salaries between Boston, MA and Somerville, MA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Boston, MA
$99,892
$48.03/hr
Somerville, MA
$94,037
$45.21/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBoston, MASomerville, MA
Median Salary$99,892$94,037
Hourly Rate$48.03$45.21
Entry Level (P10)$63,068$58,861
25th Percentile$75,994$70,698
75th Percentile$127,862$120,367
Top Earner (P90)$154,833$145,757
Total Employed17420
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Boston ($99,892) and Somerville ($94,037) real estate agent salaries.BostonSomervilleMedian Salary$99,892$94,037Entry Level (P10)$63,068$58,861Top Earner (P90)$154,833$145,757US Median $53,622

Verdict

Boston, MA offers better overall compensation for real estate agents, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Somerville.

The salary gap between Boston and Somerville is $5,855 (6.23%). Boston's median is +86.29% compared to the US national median of $53,622.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Boston spans $91,765,Somerville spans $86,896. Boston has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Boston
P10 (Entry)$63,068
P25$75,994
Median$99,892
P75$127,862
P90 (Top)$154,833
Somerville
P10 (Entry)$58,861
P25$70,698
Median$94,037
P75$120,367
P90 (Top)$145,757

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Boston ($92,066 effective) pays 6.23% more than Somerville ($86,670 effective).

Boston
Nominal: $99,892
CoL Index: 108.5
Adjusted: $92,066
Somerville
Nominal: $94,037
CoL Index: 108.5
Adjusted: $86,670

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Boston if…

  • Higher median salary ($99,892/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($154,833)
  • Larger job market (174 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $92,066)
  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Choose Somerville if…

  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, real estate agent salaries in Boston grew 45.1% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -4.3% growth in Somerville over the same period.

Boston, MA

+45.1%

$67,820 (2019) → $98,416 (2025)

Somerville, MA

+-4.3%

$96,782 (2024) → $92,647 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays real estate agents more: Boston or Somerville?

Boston has a higher median real estate agent salary at $99,892/year, compared to Somerville at $94,037/year — a difference of $5,855 (6.23%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Boston and Somerville?

Boston real estate agents earn $48.03/hr while Somerville hygienists earn $45.21/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Boston to Somerville as a real estate agent?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Boston and Somerville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Boston = $92,066, Somerville = $86,670), job availability (174 vs 20 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level real estate agents earn in Boston vs Somerville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) real estate agents earn $63,068 in Boston and $58,861 in Somerville. The Boston area offers higher starting salaries.
MG

Written by Maria Gonzalez, REALTOR®

Career Analyst

Maria has 10 years of experience as a real estate agent. She specializes in residential properties. She works with a large brokerage in Texas.

Clinically reviewed by David Chen, REALTOR®Data verified by Fatima Ali, REALTOR®

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 1.50% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Maria Gonzalez, REALTOR®, a licensed real estate agent with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov