One of the most common questions from business owners beginning a commercial real estate search in South Florida is simple: what does space actually cost?
It is also one of the hardest questions to answer with a single number — because commercial real estate pricing in Broward County varies considerably by submarket, asset class, building quality, and lease structure. A number you find on a listing site is an asking rate. What businesses actually pay — after negotiations, concessions, and deal structure — is a different figure entirely.
This guide breaks down current commercial real estate costs across Broward County's major submarkets as of early 2026, covering office, retail, and industrial space.
How Commercial Rent Is Quoted in South Florida
Before diving into the numbers, one note on how commercial rent is quoted — because it confuses many tenants coming from the residential market.
Commercial rent in South Florida is almost always quoted as an annual rate per square foot. So a space listed at "$40/SF" costs $40 per square foot per year. A 2,000 SF space at $40/SF = $80,000/year = $6,667/month in base rent.
But that base rent figure often does not represent your full occupancy cost. Depending on the lease structure, you may also pay:
- Triple Net (NNN) charges: Your pro-rata share of property taxes, building insurance, and common area maintenance — typically an additional $8–$18/SF annually in Broward
- Utilities: Electricity, water, and gas are typically the tenant's direct responsibility in most commercial leases
- Parking: Sometimes included, sometimes charged separately in structured parking facilities
When comparing spaces, always compare total occupancy cost — not just base rent.
Gross vs. NNN: A "gross" lease at $48/SF may cost less total than a "NNN" lease at $38/SF once you add $12–$14/SF in operating expenses. Always get a full CAM estimate before comparing quoted rents.
Broward County Office Space Costs (2026)
The Broward office market in 2026 remains bifurcated: Class A product in strong locations is holding firm or tightening, while Class B and older suburban product continues to see pressure as tenants gravitate toward newer, amenity-rich buildings or choose flexible arrangements.
| Submarket | Class | Base Rent Range ($/SF/yr) |
|---|---|---|
| Downtown Fort Lauderdale | Class A | $45 – $58 |
| Downtown Fort Lauderdale | Class B | $32 – $44 |
| Boca Raton | Class A | $48 – $62 |
| Boca Raton | Class B | $34 – $48 |
| Cypress Creek / N. Fort Lauderdale | Class A/B | $30 – $44 |
| Plantation / Davie | Class B | $28 – $40 |
| Pompano Beach | Class B | $26 – $38 |
| Hollywood / Hallandale | Class A/B | $32 – $46 |
| Weston / Sunrise | Class A/B | $32 – $48 |
| Deerfield Beach / Coral Springs | Class B | $26 – $38 |
These are base rent ranges for new leases. Operating expenses (NNN/CAM) in Broward add approximately $9–$16/SF annually, making total gross occupancy cost roughly $10–$18/SF higher than the base rent figure.
Vacancy rates vary considerably by submarket. Buildings with high vacancy offer more negotiating room on TI allowances, free rent, and personal guaranty structure — sometimes significantly more than the rent differential alone would suggest.
Broward County Retail Space Costs (2026)
Retail real estate in Broward County remains demand-driven, with well-located center-anchored space in lower supply than it was three years ago. Experiential and service-oriented tenants (fitness, food, personal care, medical) continue to absorb space that traditional retail has vacated, keeping quality retail tighter than the headline numbers suggest.
| Location Type | Base Rent Range ($/SF/yr) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Regional mall inline | $80 – $150+ | High foot traffic, high cost |
| Power center / big box shadow | $30 – $55 | Co-tenancy driven |
| Neighborhood shopping center | $28 – $50 | Wide range by anchor and traffic |
| Strip center, main arterial | $25 – $45 | US-1, Federal, State Rd 7 etc. |
| Strip center, secondary street | $18 – $34 | Lower traffic, lower cost |
| Freestanding / outparcel | $35 – $70 | Premium for visibility |
| Mixed-use / urban street retail | $40 – $75 | Las Olas, Mizner Park corridor |
Retail leases are typically NNN, with operating expenses adding $8–$14/SF annually. For food service tenants, utility costs and equipment requirements make total occupancy economics materially different from other retail categories — always model full P&L impact, not just rent.
Broward County Industrial Space Costs (2026)
Industrial has been the standout performer in South Florida commercial real estate for several years, driven by e-commerce logistics, last-mile distribution demand, and the broader migration of businesses and residents into the region. Broward industrial rents more than doubled between 2019 and 2024. The pace of appreciation has moderated in 2025–2026, but supply remains constrained and rents remain historically elevated.
| Product Type | Base Rent Range ($/SF/yr) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Class A distribution / logistics | $20 – $30 | Modern, 28'+ clear height |
| Class B warehouse | $16 – $24 | 18'–24' clear, functional |
| Flex / showroom warehouse | $18 – $28 | Office + warehouse combination |
| Small bay / multi-tenant industrial | $18 – $30 | 1,000–5,000 SF units |
| Cold storage / refrigerated | $30 – $55+ | Highly variable, scarce product |
| Light manufacturing / R&D | $16 – $26 | Power, dock, and height dependent |
Industrial operating expenses are lower than office — typically $3–$6/SF NNN for well-maintained product. The larger negotiating leverage points in industrial leases are often dock configurations, power capacity, clear heights, and parking ratios rather than base rent alone.
What These Numbers Don't Tell You
Market rate ranges are a starting point for budgeting — they are not a substitute for deal-specific intelligence. The actual rent you pay depends on:
- The specific building's vacancy rate and landlord motivation
- Whether you have credible competing alternatives in the negotiation
- Your credit profile and business history
- Lease term length and your willingness to commit
- The concession package you negotiate alongside base rent
Two tenants can sign leases in the same building in the same month and pay materially different effective rents — one unrepresented, one with a tenant rep running a competitive process. The difference is not theoretical. It shows up in the executed lease.
If you are budgeting for a commercial space search in Broward County — or anywhere across the South Florida tri-county area — a free consultation will give you submarket-specific estimates for your specific requirements before you start touring.
