[wtn]

Starting a company in either of those geographic areas (Loop/River North or SOMA) is like shoveling cash into an incinerator.

[rayiner]

Relative to where? The most expensive office space in the Loop (along Wacker Drive) runs just under $40/sq-ft/year. Palo Alto averages $55+ over the whole market (not just the choicest area). Mountain View is a more reasonable $32.

http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2011-09-08/business/ct-bi...

http://kiddermathews.com/downloads/research/office-market-re...