Where do big tech occupiers lease office space in Boston?

Most cluster in Back Bay. Rent runs ~78 USD/sqft ($78 USD) for trophy and prime stock.

What fit-out spec do big tech occupiers run in Boston?

Typically high-end at $225–320/sqft.

How much office space per seat should a big tech occupier plan in Boston?

Plan ~160 sqft per seat blended. A 100-person team typically takes 16,000 sqft.

What NAICS codes describe the big tech vertical?

Representative NAICS 2022 codes: 518210, 541511, 541512.

What is the talent index in Boston?

95/100. Use the city profile for full detail.

Big tech occupiers in Boston typically cluster in Back Bay, plan ~160 sqft per seat at high-end fit-out ($225–320/sqft), and pay around 78 USD/sqft ($78 USD) on Class A.

Preferred submarket: Back Bay.
Typical fit-out spec: High-end ($225–320/sqft).
Plan ~160 sqft per seat for headcount sizing.
Class A rent context: 78 USD/sqft ($78 USD).
Typical lease: 10 years with 18 months rent-free.
Talent depth in Boston: 95/100.

Big tech office space in Boston

Big tech occupiers in Boston typically cluster in Back Bay, plan ~160 sqft per seat at high-end fit-out">fit-out ($225–320/sqft), and pay around 78 USD/sqft ($78 USD) on Class A.

TL;DR

Preferred submarket: Back Bay.
Typical fit-out spec: High-end ($225–320/sqft).
Plan ~160 sqft per seat for headcount sizing.
Class A rent context: 78 USD/sqft ($78 USD).
Typical lease: 10 years with 18 months rent-free.
Talent depth in Boston: 95/100.

Where they cluster

Big tech occupiers in Boston typically anchor in Back Bay. Asset management, legal, insurance, consumer goods HQs.

What they pay

Class A rent in Boston runs 78 USD/sqft ($78 USD) on a 10-year lease with 18 months free. Prime submarkets sit at or modestly above the city index.

Spec and fit-out

Typical big tech fit-out targets high-end specification at $225–320/sqft. Branded reception, full client-facing programming, premium furniture, and specialist AV are standard.

Headcount sizing

Plan around 160 sqft per seat blended (workstation + circulation + amenity). A 100-headcount big tech office in Boston typically targets 16,000 sqft of leasable area.

Talent angle

Engineering campuses gravitate to creative-class submarkets adjacent to public transit, universities, and dense talent housing. Deepest STEM and life-sciences talent pool in the US — anchored by MIT, Harvard, BU. Average all-in compensation indexes 95.

Tax and lease context

Headline corporate tax: 28%. Modified-gross with op-ex escalations. Rent-free 18-24 months on 10-year term standard. Lab leases carry distinct economics — base rent plus operating expenses plus utilities pass-through.

Key facts

city	Boston
industry	Big tech
naics	518210, 541511, 541512
preferredSubmarket	Back Bay
preferredFitoutSpec	High-end
fitoutBand	$225–320/sqft
sqftPerSeat	160
classARentLocal	78 USD/sqft/yr
classARentUsd	$78/sqft/yr
vacancyPct	19.5%
typicalLeaseYears	10
typicalRentFreeMonths	18
talentIndex	95
corporateTaxPct	28%

Frequently asked questions

Where do big tech occupiers lease office space in Boston?: Most cluster in Back Bay. Rent runs ~78 USD/sqft ($78 USD) for trophy and prime stock.
What fit-out spec do big tech occupiers run in Boston?: Typically high-end at $225–320/sqft.
How much office space per seat should a big tech occupier plan in Boston?: Plan ~160 sqft per seat blended. A 100-person team typically takes 16,000 sqft.
What NAICS codes describe the big tech vertical?: Representative NAICS 2022 codes: 518210, 541511, 541512.
What is the talent index in Boston?: 95/100. Use the city profile for full detail.

Editorial provenance

Reviewed by Miriam Hollander — Lead market analyst. Last updated 2026-04-15. See our methodology and editorial standards.

Primary sources for this page

CBRE Marketview reports — CBRE
JLL Office Insight — JLL
Cushman & Wakefield Marketbeat — Cushman & Wakefield
Savills World Research — Savills
Colliers Global Office Outlook — Colliers

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