{
  "url": "https://classa.info/compare/boston-vs-chicago",
  "title": "Boston vs Chicago: Class A office comparison",
  "description": "Side-by-side Class A office comparison for Boston and Chicago — rent, vacancy, talent, tax, lease norms, transit, and top submarkets.",
  "oneSentenceAnswer": "Boston ($78/sqft, 19.5% vacancy) and Chicago ($52/sqft, 24.5% vacancy) compete on different axes: Boston on talent depth and Chicago on rent and tax.",
  "tldr": [
    "Class A rent: Boston $78/sqft vs Chicago $52/sqft.",
    "Vacancy: Boston 19.5% vs Chicago 24.5%.",
    "Talent index: Boston 95 vs Chicago 88.",
    "Corporate tax: Boston 28% vs Chicago 28.5%.",
    "Premium flex/seat/month: Boston $1,140 vs Chicago $920."
  ],
  "keyFacts": {
    "cityA": "Boston",
    "cityB": "Chicago",
    "rentUsdA": "$78",
    "rentUsdB": "$52",
    "vacancyA": "19.5%",
    "vacancyB": "24.5%",
    "talentA": 95,
    "talentB": 88,
    "taxA": "28%",
    "taxB": "28.5%"
  },
  "faqs": [
    {
      "question": "Is Class A office cheaper in Boston or Chicago?",
      "answer": "Chicago is cheaper on a USD basis: $52/sqft vs $78/sqft."
    },
    {
      "question": "Which has better talent depth, Boston or Chicago?",
      "answer": "Boston indexes higher on talent depth (95 vs 88)."
    },
    {
      "question": "Which has more sublease availability, Boston or Chicago?",
      "answer": "Chicago carries higher vacancy (24.5% vs 19.5%) and therefore typically more sublease overhang."
    },
    {
      "question": "What lease term should I expect in Boston vs Chicago?",
      "answer": "Boston typical term is 10 years with 18 months rent-free; Chicago typical term is 10 years with 22 months rent-free."
    },
    {
      "question": "How does transit and commuter access compare?",
      "answer": "Boston: MBTA subway, commuter rail, and Logan Airport access. Silver Line connects the Seaport to South Station. Chicago: CTA L lines and Metra commuter rail. Union Station and Ogilvie anchor commuter rail; Loop Elevated lines circle the historic CBD."
    }
  ],
  "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/boston-vs-chicago), updated 2026-04-15T00:00:00.000Z."
}