Chicago Data Center Market Overview 2026

Chicago is one of the most strategically important data center markets in the United States. Its central geographic location, world-class network connectivity, and strong power infrastructure make it a top choice for enterprises, financial institutions, and increasingly, AI workloads. This guide covers the Chicago data center landscape, including key facilities, pricing, and AI readiness.

Why Chicago?

• Network crossroads: Chicago is where East meets West in US networking. Major fiber routes from both coasts converge here, making it the lowest-latency point to reach the most US population. Sub-10ms to 80%+ of the US population.
• Financial sector demand: The Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) and Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE) drive massive low-latency trading infrastructure. This financial infrastructure now supports AI trading models and quantitative computing.
• Reliable power: ComEd (Exelon) provides reliable power with nuclear baseload. Fewer grid concerns than markets like Texas (ERCOT) or California.
• Favorable climate: Cool winters reduce cooling costs for 4-6 months of the year, enabling economizer-based free cooling that improves PUE.
• Carrier density: 350+ carriers available in the metro area, one of the most connected markets globally.
• Central time zone: Convenient for businesses operating across US time zones.

Key Chicago Submarkets

Downtown (350 E. Cermak & Surrounding)

350 East Cermak Road is one of the largest carrier hotels in the world. This Lakeside Technology Center facility houses over 50 network providers and multiple internet exchanges. Surrounding downtown facilities offer premium connectivity but limited space for expansion.

Elk Grove Village / Schaumburg

The northwestern suburbs host major campuses from Equinix, Digital Realty, and others. This submarket offers good connectivity, available power, and room for expansion. It's becoming the preferred location for large-scale deployments including AI infrastructure.

Aurora / Naperville (Far West Suburbs)

The newest growth corridor for Chicago data centers. Meta, Microsoft, and other hyperscalers are building large campuses here, attracted by available land and power. Excellent for AI training workloads that prioritize power capacity over downtown connectivity.

Hammond / Northwest Indiana

Just across the state line, northwest Indiana facilities offer Chicago-equivalent connectivity at lower power and property costs. Growing option for cost-sensitive deployments.

Top Facilities

AI and GPU Infrastructure in Chicago

Chicago's AI data center market is growing rapidly, driven by financial sector demand for AI/ML trading models and enterprise adoption of generative AI:

• Financial AI: Quantitative trading firms need ultra-low-latency GPU inference close to exchanges. Chicago is the only option for CME/CBOE-adjacent deployment.
• Enterprise AI: Major Chicago-headquartered companies (Boeing, Caterpillar, McDonald's, United Airlines) are deploying AI infrastructure locally.
• GPU colocation growth: Multiple providers now offer H100 colocation in the Chicago market with liquid cooling.
• Research institutions: University of Chicago, Northwestern, and Argonne National Laboratory drive AI research demand.

Pricing

• Standard colocation: $110-190/kW/month
• High-density: $160-300/kW/month
• GPU colocation: $220-400/kW/month with liquid cooling
• Power rates: $0.08-0.11/kWh

See our colocation pricing guide and GPU colocation pricing guide for detailed comparisons.

Chicago vs Other Markets

• vs Northern Virginia: More power availability, slightly lower pricing, but smaller ecosystem and fewer facilities
• vs Texas: More expensive power but better grid reliability and cooler climate
• vs Phoenix: Better connectivity and central location, but higher costs

Browse our complete Illinois data center directory for all facilities.