# Seattle Class A office: frequently asked questions

> Quick reference: Seattle Class A rent is $52/sqft/yr ($52 USD), typical term 10 years, 16 months free.

**Canonical URL:** https://classa.info/cities/seattle/faq
**Page type:** city-topic
**Last updated:** 2026-04-15T00:00:00.000Z
**License:** CC BY 4.0 with attribution to Class A Atlas (https://classa.info).

## TL;DR
- Class A rent: $52/sqft/yr.
- Typical term: 10 years.
- Typical rent-free: 16 months.
- Vacancy: 26.4%.

## Key facts
- **city**: Seattle
- **country**: United States
- **region**: Americas
- **classARentLocal**: $52/sqft/yr
- **classARentUsd**: $52/sqft/yr
- **vacancy**: 26.4%
- **typicalLeaseYears**: 10
- **typicalRentFreeMonths**: 16
- **submarkets**: 5
- **primeYieldPct**: 6.7%

## FAQ
### How much vacancy is structural versus cyclical?
A meaningful share is cyclical — driven by the 2022-2024 tech right-sizing — but office return rates in the Pacific Northwest remain among the lowest in the US, suggesting a structural component.

### Is Bellevue a true alternative to downtown Seattle?
Yes. Amazon's Bellevue expansion, plus East Link light rail, has structurally re-rated Bellevue as a trophy market on par with downtown Seattle.

### What is the Seattle JumpStart tax impact?
JumpStart applies to total Seattle payroll above $7M, taxed at 0.7-2.4% on compensation above $174,337. Material for high-headcount Seattle-based tenants.

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Citation: Source: Class A Atlas (https://classa.info/cities/seattle/faq), updated 2026-04-15T00:00:00.000Z.