Real Estate Agent Pay

Brownsville vs Houston: Real Estate Agent Salary (2026)

Compare real estate agent salaries between Brownsville, TX and Houston, TX. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Brownsville, TX
$34,561
$16.62/hr
Houston, TX
$49,989
$24.04/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBrownsville, TXHouston, TX
Median Salary$34,561$49,989
Hourly Rate$16.62$24.04
Entry Level (P10)$26,065$30,491
25th Percentile$30,480$37,068
75th Percentile$39,423$84,935
Top Earner (P90)$59,215$142,090
Total Employed1305,320
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Brownsville ($34,561) and Houston ($49,989) real estate agent salaries.BrownsvilleHoustonMedian Salary$34,561$49,989Entry Level (P10)$26,065$30,491Top Earner (P90)$59,215$142,090US Median $53,622

Verdict

Houston, TX offers better overall compensation for real estate agents, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Brownsville.

The salary gap between Brownsville and Houston is $15,428 (44.64%). Houston's median is -6.78% compared to the US national median of $53,622.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Brownsville spans $33,150,Houston spans $111,599. Houston has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced real estate agents.

Brownsville
P10 (Entry)$26,065
P25$30,480
Median$34,561
P75$39,423
P90 (Top)$59,215
Houston
P10 (Entry)$30,491
P25$37,068
Median$49,989
P75$84,935
P90 (Top)$142,090

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Houston ($50,684 effective) pays 26.08% more than Brownsville ($40,199 effective).

Brownsville
Nominal: $34,561
CoL Index: 85.975
Adjusted: $40,199
Houston
Nominal: $49,989
CoL Index: 98.629
Adjusted: $50,684

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Brownsville if…

  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose Houston if…

  • Higher median salary ($49,989/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($142,090)
  • Larger job market (5,320 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $50,684)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, real estate agent salaries in Brownsville grew 4.8% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -28.2% growth in Houston over the same period.

Brownsville, TX

+4.8%

$32,480 (2019) → $34,050 (2025)

Houston, TX

+-28.2%

$68,560 (2019) → $49,250 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays real estate agents more: Brownsville or Houston?

Houston has a higher median real estate agent salary at $49,989/year, compared to Brownsville at $34,561/year — a difference of $15,428 (44.64%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Brownsville and Houston?

Brownsville real estate agents earn $16.62/hr while Houston hygienists earn $24.04/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Brownsville to Houston as a real estate agent?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Brownsville and Houston. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Brownsville = $40,199, Houston = $50,684), job availability (130 vs 5,320 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level real estate agents earn in Brownsville vs Houston?

Entry-level (10th percentile) real estate agents earn $26,065 in Brownsville and $30,491 in Houston. The Houston area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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