# Chicago vs London: Class A office comparison

> Chicago ($52/sqft, 24.5% vacancy) and London ($121/sqft, 8.6% vacancy) compete on different axes: Chicago on rent and tax and London on talent depth.

**Canonical URL:** https://classa.info/compare/chicago-vs-london
**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: Chicago $52/sqft vs London $121/sqft.
- Vacancy: Chicago 24.5% vs London 8.6%.
- Talent index: Chicago 88 vs London 96.
- Corporate tax: Chicago 28.5% vs London 25%.
- Premium flex/seat/month: Chicago $920 vs London $1,380.

## Key facts
- **cityA**: Chicago
- **cityB**: London
- **rentUsdA**: $52
- **rentUsdB**: $121
- **vacancyA**: 24.5%
- **vacancyB**: 8.6%
- **talentA**: 88
- **talentB**: 96
- **taxA**: 28.5%
- **taxB**: 25%

## FAQ
### Is Class A office cheaper in Chicago or London?
Chicago is cheaper on a USD basis: $52/sqft vs $121/sqft.

### Which has better talent depth, Chicago or London?
London indexes higher on talent depth (96 vs 88).

### Which has more sublease availability, Chicago or London?
Chicago carries higher vacancy (24.5% vs 8.6%) and therefore typically more sublease overhang.

### What lease term should I expect in Chicago vs London?
Chicago typical term is 10 years with 22 months rent-free; London typical term is 10 years with 24 months rent-free.

### How does transit and commuter access compare?
Chicago: CTA L lines and Metra commuter rail. Union Station and Ogilvie anchor commuter rail; Loop Elevated lines circle the historic CBD. London: The Elizabeth Line transformed cross-London commute times. Heathrow to Liverpool Street is 35 minutes; Paddington to Canary Wharf is 17 minutes. Crossrail-adjacent assets command a measurable rent premium.

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