Real Estate Agent Pay

Houston vs San Antonio: Real Estate Agent Salary (2026)

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

Houston, TX
$49,989
$24.04/hr
San Antonio, TX
$49,075
$23.59/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHouston, TXSan Antonio, TX
Median Salary$49,989$49,075
Hourly Rate$24.04$23.59
Entry Level (P10)$30,491$28,623
25th Percentile$37,068$38,976
75th Percentile$84,935$49,075
Top Earner (P90)$142,090$81,799
Total Employed5,3202,330
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Houston ($49,989) and San Antonio ($49,075) real estate agent salaries.HoustonSan AntonioMedian Salary$49,989$49,075Entry Level (P10)$30,491$28,623Top Earner (P90)$142,090$81,799US Median $53,622

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Houston and San Antonio is $914 (1.86%). 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 Houston spans $111,599,San Antonio spans $53,176. Houston has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Houston
P10 (Entry)$30,491
P25$37,068
Median$49,989
P75$84,935
P90 (Top)$142,090
San Antonio
P10 (Entry)$28,623
P25$38,976
Median$49,075
P75$49,075
P90 (Top)$81,799

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, San Antonio ($51,813 effective) pays 2.23% more than Houston ($50,684 effective).

Houston
Nominal: $49,989
CoL Index: 98.629
Adjusted: $50,684
San Antonio
Nominal: $49,075
CoL Index: 94.716
Adjusted: $51,813

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Houston if…

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

Choose San Antonio if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $51,813)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, real estate agent salaries in Houston grew -28.2% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 3.9% growth in San Antonio over the same period.

Houston, TX

+-28.2%

$68,560 (2019) → $49,250 (2025)

San Antonio, TX

+3.9%

$46,520 (2019) → $48,350 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays real estate agents more: Houston or San Antonio?

Houston has a higher median real estate agent salary at $49,989/year, compared to San Antonio at $49,075/year — a difference of $914 (1.86%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Houston and San Antonio?

Houston real estate agents earn $24.04/hr while San Antonio hygienists earn $23.59/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Houston and San Antonio. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Houston = $50,684, San Antonio = $51,813), job availability (5,320 vs 2,330 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) real estate agents earn $30,491 in Houston and $28,623 in San Antonio. 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