# Austin vs Houston: Class A office comparison

> 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.

**Canonical URL:** https://classa.info/compare/austin-vs-houston
**Page type:** comparison
**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: 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.

## Key facts
- **cityA**: Austin
- **cityB**: Houston
- **rentUsdA**: $60
- **rentUsdB**: $35
- **vacancyA**: 27.8%
- **vacancyB**: 26.7%
- **talentA**: 84
- **talentB**: 78
- **taxA**: 22.5%
- **taxB**: 22.5%

## FAQ
### Is Class A office cheaper in Austin or Houston?
Houston is cheaper on a USD basis: $35/sqft vs $60/sqft.

### Which has better talent depth, Austin or Houston?
Austin indexes higher on talent depth (84 vs 78).

### Which has more sublease availability, Austin or Houston?
Austin carries higher vacancy (27.8% vs 26.7%) and therefore typically more sublease overhang.

### What lease term should I expect in Austin vs Houston?
Austin typical term is 10 years with 18 months rent-free; Houston typical term is 10 years with 18 months rent-free.

### How does transit and commuter access compare?
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.

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Citation: Source: Class A Atlas (https://classa.info/compare/austin-vs-houston), updated 2026-04-15T00:00:00.000Z.