November 2, 2015
(WASHINGTON, D.C. – November 2, 2015) The Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) International, using the data found in its 2015 Office Experience Exchange Report (Office EER), has compiled a list of the most and least expensive office markets in the United States, both in terms of operating expenses and rental rates. The annual Office EER aggregates office sector income and expense data from the previous year; 2014 data was gathered from more than 5,300 buildings in 275 markets in the U.S. and Canada representing more than 820 million square feet.
Total operating expenses incorporate all expenses incurred to operate office buildings, including utilities, repairs and maintenance, roads and grounds, cleaning, administration and security. Baltimore is new to the list of most expensive markets for operating costs, while the other four markets have appeared in the top five for two years running. San Francisco bumped New York from the top of the list with average total operating expenses of $11.72 per square foot (psf), up significantly from $10.09 psf in 2013. At the other end of the spectrum, Cincinnati, at $5.34 psf, replaced Raleigh, North Carolina, in 2014 as the market with the lowest reported operating expenses. Overall operating expenses increased in 2014, possibly as a result of the continuing trend towards densification.Five Most Expensive Markets – Total Operating Expenses:
| 1. San Francisco, California | $11.72 per square foot (psf) |
| 2. New York, New York | $11.46 psf |
| 3. San Jose, California | $11.25 psf |
| 4. Washington, D.C. | $10.37 psf |
| 5. Baltimore, Maryland | $9.67 psf |
Five Least Expensive Markets – Total Operating Expenses:
| 1. Cincinnati, Ohio | $5.34 per square foot (psf) |
| 2. Salt Lake City, Utah | $6.09 psf |
| 3. Orlando, Florida | $6.47 psf |
| 4. Atlanta, Georgia | $6.60 psf |
| 5. Fort Worth, Texas | $6.68 psf |
Five Most Expensive Markets – Total Rental Income:
| 1. New York, New York | $48.51 per square foot (psf) |
| 2. Washington, D.C. | $47.53 psf |
| 3. San Francisco, California | $43.53 psf |
| 4. Washington, D.C.'s Virginia Suburbs | $33.17 psf |
| 5. Washington, D.C.'s Maryland Suburbs | $32.73 psf |
Five Least Expensive Markets – Total Rental Income:
| 1. Detroit, Michigan | $17.85 per square foot (psf) |
| 2. Columbus, Ohio | $18.11 psf |
| 3. Fort Worth, Texas | $18.12 psf |
| 4. St. Louis, Missouri | $18.80 psf |
| 5. Chicago, Illinois Suburbs | $18.84 psf |
This year, BOMA International also announced the launch of the inaugural Industrial Experience Exchange Report (Industrial EER), the only benchmarking resource in the commercial real estate industry specifically tailored to the industrial sector. For more information and to subscribe to the 2015 Office EER and first-ever Industrial EER, visit eer.boma.org.
About BOMA International
The Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) International is a federation of 91 BOMA U.S. associations and 17 international affiliates. Founded in 1907, BOMA represents the owners and managers of all commercial property types including 10.4 billion square feet of U.S. office space that supports 1.8 million jobs and contributes $227.6 billion to the U.S. GDP. Its mission is to advance a vibrant commercial real estate industry through advocacy, influence and knowledge. Learn more at www.boma.org.Contact
Jessica Bates
Manager of Communications & Marketing
BOMA International
(202) 326-6348