{
  "url": "https://classa.info/compare/austin-vs-houston",
  "title": "Austin vs Houston: Class A office comparison",
  "description": "Side-by-side Class A office comparison for Austin and Houston — rent, vacancy, talent, tax, lease norms, transit, and top submarkets.",
  "oneSentenceAnswer": "Austin ($60/sqft, 27.8% vacancy) and Houston ($35/sqft, 26.7% vacancy) compete on different axes: Austin on talent depth and Houston on rent and tax.",
  "tldr": [
    "Class A rent: Austin $60/sqft vs Houston $35/sqft.",
    "Vacancy: Austin 27.8% vs Houston 26.7%.",
    "Talent index: Austin 84 vs Houston 78.",
    "Corporate tax: Austin 22.5% vs Houston 22.5%.",
    "Premium flex/seat/month: Austin $720 vs Houston $580."
  ],
  "keyFacts": {
    "cityA": "Austin",
    "cityB": "Houston",
    "rentUsdA": "$60",
    "rentUsdB": "$35",
    "vacancyA": "27.8%",
    "vacancyB": "26.7%",
    "talentA": 84,
    "talentB": 78,
    "taxA": "22.5%",
    "taxB": "22.5%"
  },
  "faqs": [
    {
      "question": "Is Class A office cheaper in Austin or Houston?",
      "answer": "Houston is cheaper on a USD basis: $35/sqft vs $60/sqft."
    },
    {
      "question": "Which has better talent depth, Austin or Houston?",
      "answer": "Austin indexes higher on talent depth (84 vs 78)."
    },
    {
      "question": "Which has more sublease availability, Austin or Houston?",
      "answer": "Austin carries higher vacancy (27.8% vs 26.7%) and therefore typically more sublease overhang."
    },
    {
      "question": "What lease term should I expect in Austin vs Houston?",
      "answer": "Austin typical term is 10 years with 18 months rent-free; Houston typical term is 10 years with 18 months rent-free."
    },
    {
      "question": "How does transit and commuter access compare?",
      "answer": "Austin: Capital Metro bus + MetroRail (single Red Line). Project Connect light rail in early planning. Heavy car dependency outside the central core; downtown trophy tenants increasingly emphasize walkable amenity. Houston: METRORail (three lines) anchors Downtown / Texas Medical Center / Museum District. Park-and-ride bus serves Energy Corridor and the Galleria. Heavy car dependency outside the urban core."
    }
  ],
  "pageType": "comparison",
  "lastUpdated": "2026-04-15T00:00:00.000Z",
  "license": "CC BY 4.0 with attribution to Class A Atlas (https://classa.info).",
  "citation": "Source: Class A Atlas (https://classa.info/compare/austin-vs-houston), updated 2026-04-15T00:00:00.000Z."
}