---
title: "Sublease Savings Calculator — Class A Atlas"
description: "Compare a direct lease vs sublease side-by-side over the same term."
canonical: https://classa.info/tools/sublease-savings
pageType: tool
lastUpdated: 2026-05-29T16:17:29.065Z
license: "CC BY 4.0 with attribution to Class A Atlas (https://classa.info)."
---

> Compare a direct lease vs sublease side-by-side over the same term.

## TL;DR

- Compare a direct lease vs sublease side-by-side over the same term.
- Quantifies total savings, effective $/sf, monthly cash difference, and breakeven.
- Includes sublease-specific risk callouts.

# Sublease Savings Calculator

## TL;DR

- Compare a direct lease vs [sublease](/topics/sublease-strategy)">sublease side-by-side over the same term.
- Quantifies total savings, effective $/sf, monthly cash difference, and breakeven.
- Includes sublease-specific risk callouts.

## Methodology

Each scenario computes total cash rent over the term, deducts the value of free-rent months and any [fit-out](/glossary/fit-out)-capex">[TI allowance](/topics/us-tia-strategy), and adds broker fees. Result is [net effective rent](/glossary/net-effective-rent) in dollars and as $/sf/year. Total savings = direct net − sublease net; monthly delta = savings ÷ term months. Breakeven is the month at which cumulative direct cost would equal cumulative sublease cost. Model assumes flat rent and ignores opex pass-through differences.

## How to use it

- **Set market and sublease rents** — Use $/sf/year for both. Use the asking sublease rate, not list market.
- **Enter the term** — Match the sublease term — usually whatever's left on the prime tenant's lease.
- **Add concessions** — Free-rent months and any TI allowance for each scenario.
- **Read the breakdown** — See total cost, monthly delta, and effective $/sf for each path.

## Frequently asked questions

****Why is sublease usually cheaper?****
: Sublessors typically discount 20–40% versus direct market rent to offload space quickly. The trade-off: shorter term, less TI, and the prime tenant's covenant risk.

****What are the risks of subleasing?****
: Prime tenant default risk (you lose your lease), no direct relationship with the landlord, often 'as-is' condition, limited renewal rights, and sub-lessor consent required for any alterations.

****Should I include opex?****
: If both deals are gross or both NNN, you can leave them out. If one is gross and the other is NNN, gross-up the NNN rent by typical opex (~$15–$25/sf in Class A) for a like-for-like comparison.

****What is breakeven?****
: The month where cumulative direct-lease spend would have caught up to cumulative sublease spend if rents were equal. It's a sanity check on how durable the sublease discount is.

## Related topics

- [**Sublease Strategy**](/topics/sublease-strategy) — How to use the sublease market — both as a tenant taking sublease space and as an over-supplied incumbent offloading.

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Citation: Source: Class A Atlas (https://classa.info/tools/sublease-savings), updated 2026-05-29T16:17:29.065Z.