Riverside vs Santa Rosa: Real Estate Agent Salary (2026)
Compare real estate agent salaries between Riverside, CA and Santa Rosa, CA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | Riverside, CA | Santa Rosa, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Median Salary | $64,747 | $117,557▲ |
| Hourly Rate | $31.13 | $56.52▲ |
| Entry Level (P10) | $36,104 | $53,308▲ |
| 25th Percentile | $50,212 | $61,276▲ |
| 75th Percentile | $65,173 | $117,608▲ |
| Top Earner (P90) | $65,173 | $166,501▲ |
| Total Employed | 2,080 | N/A |
Verdict
Santa Rosa, CA offers better overall compensation for real estate agents, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Riverside.
The salary gap between Riverside and Santa Rosa is $52,810 (81.56%). Santa Rosa's median is +119.23% compared to the US national median of $53,622.
Salary Range Comparison
The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Riverside spans $29,069,Santa Rosa spans $113,193. Santa Rosa has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced real estate agents.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison
After cost-of-living adjustment, Santa Rosa ($109,067 effective) pays 79.30% more than Riverside ($60,828 effective).
Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.
Which City Is Right for You?
Choose Riverside if…
- ✓Larger job market (2,080 employed)
- ✓You prefer the California area and lifestyle
Choose Santa Rosa if…
- ✓Higher median salary ($117,557/year)
- ✓Better top-earner potential ($166,501)
- ✓Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $109,067)
- ✓You prefer the California area and lifestyle
Historical Salary Growth Comparison
Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, real estate agent salaries in Riverside grew 109.8% from 2021 to 2025, compared to 335.1% growth in Santa Rosa over the same period.
Riverside, CA
$30,400 (2021) → $63,790 (2025)
Santa Rosa, CA
$26,620 (2019) → $115,820 (2025)
View Full Salary Data
Riverside, CA
Santa Rosa, CA
Frequently Asked Questions
Which city pays real estate agents more: Riverside or Santa Rosa?
What is the hourly rate difference between Riverside and Santa Rosa?
Should I relocate from Riverside to Santa Rosa as a real estate agent?
What do entry-level real estate agents earn in Riverside vs Santa Rosa?
Related Comparisons
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.
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