# Chicago vs Washington DC: Class A office comparison

> Chicago ($52/sqft, 24.5% vacancy) and Washington DC ($58/sqft, 19.4% vacancy) compete on different axes: Chicago on rent and tax and Washington DC on talent depth.

**Canonical URL:** https://classa.info/compare/chicago-vs-washington-dc
**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 Washington DC $58/sqft.
- Vacancy: Chicago 24.5% vs Washington DC 19.4%.
- Talent index: Chicago 88 vs Washington DC 92.
- Corporate tax: Chicago 28.5% vs Washington DC 27.1%.
- Premium flex/seat/month: Chicago $920 vs Washington DC $880.

## Key facts
- **cityA**: Chicago
- **cityB**: Washington DC
- **rentUsdA**: $52
- **rentUsdB**: $58
- **vacancyA**: 24.5%
- **vacancyB**: 19.4%
- **talentA**: 88
- **talentB**: 92
- **taxA**: 28.5%
- **taxB**: 27.1%

## FAQ
### Is Class A office cheaper in Chicago or Washington DC?
Chicago is cheaper on a USD basis: $52/sqft vs $58/sqft.

### Which has better talent depth, Chicago or Washington DC?
Washington DC indexes higher on talent depth (92 vs 88).

### Which has more sublease availability, Chicago or Washington DC?
Chicago carries higher vacancy (24.5% vs 19.4%) and therefore typically more sublease overhang.

### What lease term should I expect in Chicago vs Washington DC?
Chicago typical term is 10 years with 22 months rent-free; Washington DC 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. Washington DC: WMATA Metro (six lines) plus VRE and MARC commuter rail. Union Station anchors regional rail. Trophy office clusters all sit within a 5-minute walk of a Metro station.

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