Real Estate Agent Pay

Chico vs Los Angeles: Real Estate Agent Salary (2026)

Compare real estate agent salaries between Chico, CA and Los Angeles, CA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Chico, CA
$57,561
$27.67/hr
Los Angeles, CA
$47,725
$22.95/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricChico, CALos Angeles, CA
Median Salary$57,561$47,725
Hourly Rate$27.67$22.95
Entry Level (P10)$41,290$39,341
25th Percentile$48,233$43,554
75th Percentile$65,031$58,626
Top Earner (P90)$95,704$103,703
Total Employed507,340
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Chico ($57,561) and Los Angeles ($47,725) real estate agent salaries.ChicoLos AngelesMedian Salary$57,561$47,725Entry Level (P10)$41,290$39,341Top Earner (P90)$95,704$103,703US Median $53,622

Verdict

Chico and Los Angeles are closely matched on overall real estate agent compensation, each winning on different metrics.

The salary gap between Chico and Los Angeles is $9,836 (20.61%). Chico's median is +7.35% compared to the US national median of $53,622.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Chico spans $54,414,Los Angeles spans $64,362. Los Angeles has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced real estate agents.

Chico
P10 (Entry)$41,290
P25$48,233
Median$57,561
P75$65,031
P90 (Top)$95,704
Los Angeles
P10 (Entry)$39,341
P25$43,554
Median$47,725
P75$58,626
P90 (Top)$103,703

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Chico ($56,880 effective) pays 35.35% more than Los Angeles ($42,024 effective).

Chico
Nominal: $57,561
CoL Index: 101.197
Adjusted: $56,880
Los Angeles
Nominal: $47,725
CoL Index: 113.566
Adjusted: $42,024

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Chico if…

  • Higher median salary ($57,561/year)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $56,880)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose Los Angeles if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($103,703)
  • Larger job market (7,340 employed)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, real estate agent salaries in Chico grew 78.6% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -23.1% growth in Los Angeles over the same period.

Chico, CA

+78.6%

$31,750 (2019) → $56,710 (2025)

Los Angeles, CA

+-23.1%

$61,160 (2019) → $47,020 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays real estate agents more: Chico or Los Angeles?

Chico has a higher median real estate agent salary at $57,561/year, compared to Los Angeles at $47,725/year — a difference of $9,836 (20.61%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Chico and Los Angeles?

Chico real estate agents earn $27.67/hr while Los Angeles hygienists earn $22.95/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Chico to Los Angeles as a real estate agent?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Chico and Los Angeles. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Chico = $56,880, Los Angeles = $42,024), job availability (50 vs 7,340 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level real estate agents earn in Chico vs Los Angeles?

Entry-level (10th percentile) real estate agents earn $41,290 in Chico and $39,341 in Los Angeles. The Chico 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