Real Estate Agent Pay

San Francisco vs South Gate: Real Estate Agent Salary (2026)

Compare real estate agent salaries between San Francisco, CA and South Gate, CA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

San Francisco, CA
$72,055
$34.64/hr
South Gate, CA
$61,890
$29.75/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSan Francisco, CASouth Gate, CA
Median Salary$72,055$61,890
Hourly Rate$34.64$29.75
Entry Level (P10)$47,979$40,577
25th Percentile$57,094$46,743
75th Percentile$95,298$79,219
Top Earner (P90)$127,494$95,929
Total Employed2,10025
Side-by-side bar chart comparing San Francisco ($72,055) and South Gate ($61,890) real estate agent salaries.San FranciscoSouth GateMedian Salary$72,055$61,890Entry Level (P10)$47,979$40,577Top Earner (P90)$127,494$95,929US Median $53,622

Verdict

San Francisco, CA offers better overall compensation for real estate agents, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to South Gate.

The salary gap between San Francisco and South Gate is $10,165 (16.42%). San Francisco's median is +34.38% compared to the US national median of $53,622.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in San Francisco spans $79,515,South Gate spans $55,352. San Francisco has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

San Francisco
P10 (Entry)$47,979
P25$57,094
Median$72,055
P75$95,298
P90 (Top)$127,494
South Gate
P10 (Entry)$40,577
P25$46,743
Median$61,890
P75$79,219
P90 (Top)$95,929

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, San Francisco ($62,324 effective) pays 13.89% more than South Gate ($54,721 effective).

San Francisco
Nominal: $72,055
CoL Index: 115.613
Adjusted: $62,324
South Gate
Nominal: $61,890
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $54,721

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose San Francisco if…

  • Higher median salary ($72,055/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($127,494)
  • Larger job market (2,100 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $62,324)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose South Gate if…

  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, real estate agent salaries in San Francisco grew 19.6% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -40.5% growth in South Gate over the same period.

San Francisco, CA

+19.6%

$59,350 (2019) → $70,990 (2025)

South Gate, CA

+-40.5%

$102,496 (2024) → $60,975 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays real estate agents more: San Francisco or South Gate?

San Francisco has a higher median real estate agent salary at $72,055/year, compared to South Gate at $61,890/year — a difference of $10,165 (16.42%).

What is the hourly rate difference between San Francisco and South Gate?

San Francisco real estate agents earn $34.64/hr while South Gate hygienists earn $29.75/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from San Francisco to South Gate as a real estate agent?

Consider more than just salary when comparing San Francisco and South Gate. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: San Francisco = $62,324, South Gate = $54,721), job availability (2,100 vs 25 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level real estate agents earn in San Francisco vs South Gate?

Entry-level (10th percentile) real estate agents earn $47,979 in San Francisco and $40,577 in South Gate. The San Francisco 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