Boston ($78/sqft, 19.5% vacancy) and Los Angeles ($65/sqft, 22.5% vacancy) compete on different axes: Boston on talent depth and Los Angeles on rent and tax.
Boston ($78/sqft, 19.5% vacancy) and Los Angeles ($65/sqft, 22.5% vacancy) compete on different axes: Boston on talent depth and Los Angeles on rent and tax.
| Metric | Boston | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Region | Americas | Americas |
| Country | United States | United States |
| Class A rent (USD/sqft/yr) | $78 | $65 |
| Class A rent (local) | 78 USD | 65 USD |
| Vacancy | 19.5% | 22.5% |
| Trend | flat | flat |
| Prime yield | 6.2% | 5.8% |
| Premium flex / seat / month (USD) | $1,140 | $1,080 |
| Submarkets covered | 6 | 6 |
| Corporate tax | 28% | 27% |
| Metric | Boston | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Typical term | 10 yrs | 7 yrs |
| Typical rent-free | 18 mos | 14 mos |
| Lease norms | Modified-gross with op-ex escalations. Rent-free 18-24 months on 10-year term standard. Lab leases carry distinct economics — base rent plus operating expenses plus utilities pass-through. | Modified-gross with op-ex escalations. Rent-free 12-20 months on a 10-year term is standard. TI of $130-$200/sqft achievable. California Civil Code 1938 disclosure (CASp) is mandatory. |
| Tax note | Combined federal + Massachusetts corporate tax 28%. | Combined federal + California corporate tax effectively 27%. LA City business license tax applies. |
| Metric | Boston | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Talent index (0–100) | 95 | 92 |
| Talent note | Deepest STEM and life-sciences talent pool in the US — anchored by MIT, Harvard, BU. Average all-in compensation indexes 95. | Deepest entertainment, streaming, gaming, and aerospace talent pool in the world. Average all-in compensation indexes 92 vs. New York. |
Boston: MBTA subway, commuter rail, and Logan Airport access. Silver Line connects the Seaport to South Station.
Los Angeles: Metro Rail expansion (Purple Line extension, K Line) is reshaping commute economics — but LA remains predominantly car-based.
Los Angeles is the cheaper Class A market on a USD basis.
Boston has the deeper talent index (95/100 vs 92/100).
Los Angeles has the lower headline corporate tax (27% vs 28%). Local incentives can change the effective rate materially.
Boston typical term is 10 years with 18 months free; Los Angeles runs 7 years with 14 months free.
Boston: MBTA subway, commuter rail, and Logan Airport access. Silver Line connects the Seaport to South Station. Los Angeles: Metro Rail expansion (Purple Line extension, K Line) is reshaping commute economics — but LA remains predominantly car-based.
Score Boston, Los Angeles and up to two more markets side-by-side on Class A rent, vacancy, talent, corporate tax, and premium flex pricing — all in USD.
Reviewed by Miriam Hollander — Lead market analyst. Last updated 2026-04-15. See our methodology and editorial standards.