Coldwell Banker vs eXp Realty: Which Is the Better Investment?

Side-by-side comparison of investment costs, fees, unit economics, and franchisee satisfaction. Data from FDD disclosures and franchise database — updated 2026.

Real Estate Real Data Not Investment Advice
CB

Coldwell Banker

Real Estate
$16K – $1.5M
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VS
eR

eXp Realty

Real Estate
$3K – $8K
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At a Glance: Key Differences

Data-driven observations based on disclosed figures. Not investment advice — verify current numbers in each franchise's FDD.

Investment Cost
eXp Realty wins on investment range ($1.5M less) vs Coldwell Banker.
Fee Burden
eXp Realty wins on royalty rate (1.0% lower) vs Coldwell Banker.
Unit Count
eXp Realty wins on total units (86,800 more) vs Coldwell Banker.
Satisfaction
eXp Realty wins on franchisee satisfaction vs Coldwell Banker.

Investment & Fees

Metric Coldwell Banker eXp Realty
Min Investment $16K $3K
Max Investment $1.5M $8K
Franchise Fee $35K $500.00
Royalty Rate 6.0% 5.0%
Ad Fund Rate N/A N/A

Unit Economics

Metric Coldwell Banker eXp Realty
Avg Unit Revenue N/A N/A
Avg Profit Margin N/A N/A

Scale & Growth

Metric Coldwell Banker eXp Realty
Total Units 3,200 90,000
Annual Growth 50.0% 5.6%
Failure Rate N/A N/A

Franchisee Performance

Metric Coldwell Banker eXp Realty
Franchisee Satisfaction 72/100 74/100

Track Record

Metric Coldwell Banker eXp Realty
Years in Business N/A N/A
Years Franchising N/A N/A

Financial Requirements

Metric Coldwell Banker eXp Realty
Min Net Worth Required N/A N/A
Liquid Capital Required N/A N/A

Operations

Metric Coldwell Banker eXp Realty
Avg Employees N/A N/A
Training Weeks N/A N/A

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Coldwell Banker or eXp Realty a better franchise investment?

The answer depends on your goals, budget, and market. Coldwell Banker has 3,200 total units and a 72/100 franchisee satisfaction score. eXp Realty has 90,000 total units and a 74/100 franchisee satisfaction score. Use our ROI Calculator to model both scenarios.

How much does it cost to open a Coldwell Banker franchise?

Based on data in our database, opening a Coldwell Banker franchise requires an initial investment of $16K – $1.5M. The franchise fee is $35K, with ongoing royalties of 6.0%. Always request the current FDD for exact figures.

How much does it cost to open a eXp Realty franchise?

Based on data in our database, opening a eXp Realty franchise requires an initial investment of $3K – $8K. The franchise fee is $500.00, with ongoing royalties of 5.0%. Always request the current FDD for exact figures.

What is the royalty rate for Coldwell Banker vs eXp Realty?

Coldwell Banker's royalty rate is 6.0%. eXp Realty's royalty rate is 5.0%. That means eXp Realty has the lower ongoing royalty burden.

Which has more locations — Coldwell Banker or eXp Realty?

Coldwell Banker has 3,200 total units. eXp Realty has 90,000 total units. A larger system can mean more brand recognition, but also more territorial competition.

Is Coldwell Banker or eXp Realty semi-absentee friendly?

Coldwell Banker is typically run as a owner-operator model. eXp Realty is typically run as a owner-operator model. If passive income is your goal, semi-absentee models let you hire a manager to run day-to-day operations.

Data sourced from franchise disclosure documents and public records. Investment ranges, royalty rates, and unit counts change — always request current FDD before making investment decisions. Last updated March 2026.

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