Commercial Lease Cost Calculator: Total Occupancy Cost for 2026
Calculate your total commercial lease cost including base rent, CAM charges, build-out amortization, and effective rent per square foot.
How Commercial Lease Costs Are Calculated
Commercial lease total cost includes base rent, CAM (Common Area Maintenance) charges, annual rent escalations, and amortized tenant improvement allowances or build-out costs.
NNN (Triple Net) leases pass property taxes, insurance, and CAM to the tenant on top of base rent. Gross leases bundle these into a single rate. Always compare offers on effective rent per square foot after applying free rent periods and TI allowances.
How to Use the Commercial Lease Cost Calculator
Enter Square Footage
The rentable square footage from the lease agreement. Note that usable SF may be lower than rentable SF due to a load factor (typically 10–15% for office space).
Enter Base Rent PSF
Annual rent per square foot from the lease. In the US, commercial rents are typically quoted annually (e.g., $24/SF/year = $2/SF/month).
Enter CAM Charges
Annual CAM (Common Area Maintenance) charges per square foot. For NNN leases, this covers taxes, insurance, and maintenance. Typically $3–$10/SF for retail.
Set lease term and free rent months
Enter the lease length in years and any free rent period offered as a tenant incentive.
Enter build-out cost
Your tenant improvement (TI) costs above any TI allowance provided by the landlord.
Real-World Scenario Example
"A 2,500 SF retail space with $28/SF base rent, $6/SF CAM, 5-year term, 2 months free rent, and $50,000 tenant build-out cost."
Inputs
Result
Monthly base rent = $5,833, Monthly CAM = $1,250, Monthly total = $7,083, Total 5-year cost = $489,995, Effective rent PSF = $39.20/SF.
Important Disclaimer
Lease cost projections are estimates based on inputs provided. Actual lease costs will vary based on negotiated terms, lease structure, CAM reconciliations, and local market conditions. Consult a commercial real estate broker and attorney before signing any commercial lease.
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