# New York vs Seattle: Class A office comparison

> New York ($102/sqft, 17.4% vacancy) and Seattle ($52/sqft, 26.4% vacancy) compete on different axes: New York on talent depth and Seattle on rent and tax.

**Canonical URL:** https://classa.info/compare/new-york-vs-seattle
**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: New York $102/sqft vs Seattle $52/sqft.
- Vacancy: New York 17.4% vs Seattle 26.4%.
- Talent index: New York 100 vs Seattle 92.
- Corporate tax: New York 27.5% vs Seattle 21%.
- Premium flex/seat/month: New York $1,450 vs Seattle $940.

## Key facts
- **cityA**: New York
- **cityB**: Seattle
- **rentUsdA**: $102
- **rentUsdB**: $52
- **vacancyA**: 17.4%
- **vacancyB**: 26.4%
- **talentA**: 100
- **talentB**: 92
- **taxA**: 27.5%
- **taxB**: 21%

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

### Which has better talent depth, New York or Seattle?
New York indexes higher on talent depth (100 vs 92).

### Which has more sublease availability, New York or Seattle?
Seattle carries higher vacancy (26.4% vs 17.4%) and therefore typically more sublease overhang.

### What lease term should I expect in New York vs Seattle?
New York typical term is 10 years with 14 months rent-free; Seattle typical term is 10 years with 16 months rent-free.

### How does transit and commuter access compare?
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. Seattle: Sound Transit Link light rail (1 Line) extended in 2024 to Lynnwood; East Link to Bellevue / Redmond opening 2025-26. Streetcar serves South Lake Union. King County Metro bus network anchors local commute.

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