# Boston vs San Diego: Class A office comparison

> Boston ($78/sqft, 19.5% vacancy) and San Diego ($56/sqft, 18.4% vacancy) compete on different axes: Boston on talent depth and San Diego on rent and tax.

**Canonical URL:** https://classa.info/compare/boston-vs-san-diego
**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: Boston $78/sqft vs San Diego $56/sqft.
- Vacancy: Boston 19.5% vs San Diego 18.4%.
- Talent index: Boston 95 vs San Diego 86.
- Corporate tax: Boston 28% vs San Diego 27.9%.
- Premium flex/seat/month: Boston $1,140 vs San Diego $880.

## Key facts
- **cityA**: Boston
- **cityB**: San Diego
- **rentUsdA**: $78
- **rentUsdB**: $56
- **vacancyA**: 19.5%
- **vacancyB**: 18.4%
- **talentA**: 95
- **talentB**: 86
- **taxA**: 28%
- **taxB**: 27.9%

## FAQ
### Is Class A office cheaper in Boston or San Diego?
San Diego is cheaper on a USD basis: $56/sqft vs $78/sqft.

### Which has better talent depth, Boston or San Diego?
Boston indexes higher on talent depth (95 vs 86).

### Which has more sublease availability, Boston or San Diego?
Boston carries higher vacancy (19.5% vs 18.4%) and therefore typically more sublease overhang.

### What lease term should I expect in Boston vs San Diego?
Boston typical term is 10 years with 18 months rent-free; San Diego typical term is 10 years with 12 months rent-free.

### How does transit and commuter access compare?
Boston: MBTA subway, commuter rail, and Logan Airport access. Silver Line connects the Seaport to South Station. San Diego: MTS trolley (Blue, Green, Orange, UC San Diego Blue Line extension to UTC). COASTER and Sprinter commuter rail. Heavy car dependency outside the urban core.

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