# Chicago vs New York: Class A office comparison

> Chicago ($52/sqft, 24.5% vacancy) and New York ($102/sqft, 17.4% vacancy) compete on different axes: Chicago on rent and tax and New York on talent depth.

**Canonical URL:** https://classa.info/compare/chicago-vs-new-york
**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 New York $102/sqft.
- Vacancy: Chicago 24.5% vs New York 17.4%.
- Talent index: Chicago 88 vs New York 100.
- Corporate tax: Chicago 28.5% vs New York 27.5%.
- Premium flex/seat/month: Chicago $920 vs New York $1,450.

## Key facts
- **cityA**: Chicago
- **cityB**: New York
- **rentUsdA**: $52
- **rentUsdB**: $102
- **vacancyA**: 24.5%
- **vacancyB**: 17.4%
- **talentA**: 88
- **talentB**: 100
- **taxA**: 28.5%
- **taxB**: 27.5%

## FAQ
### Is Class A office cheaper in Chicago or New York?
Chicago is cheaper on a USD basis: $52/sqft vs $102/sqft.

### Which has better talent depth, Chicago or New York?
New York indexes higher on talent depth (100 vs 88).

### Which has more sublease availability, Chicago or New York?
Chicago carries higher vacancy (24.5% vs 17.4%) and therefore typically more sublease overhang.

### What lease term should I expect in Chicago vs New York?
Chicago typical term is 10 years with 22 months rent-free; New York typical term is 10 years with 14 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. New York: MTA subway lines, Metro-North, LIRR, and PATH converge on Midtown and the Financial District, anchored by Grand Central, Penn Station, and the Oculus. Class A landlords now factor commute time as part of their leasing pitch.

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