Best Chicago Colocation Pricing: Compare Top Midwest Data Centers & Rates

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Form factor: 1 to 2U
Power: 1–3 Amp, 120V
Storage: 1–5TB
Price: $50/month

Chicago Prices

1 to 2U (1-3Amp 120v, 1-5TB)
24U – 2 to 3kW & 100M to GIGe (+)
Standard Density 48U – 2 to 5kW & 100M to GIGe (+)
High Density 48U – 10 to 17kW (3ph) & 1M to GIGe (+)
Standard 4 rack private cage, 5kW per rack & GIGe (+)
High Density 4 rack private cage, 20kW per rack & GIGe (+)
Chicago
$130 – $150
$1100 – $1500
$1500 – $1875
$2500 – $5200
$5500 – $6000
$16000 – $20000

Prices may change, to clarify the price leave a request

Compare prices in Chicago with nearby cities and states

1 to 2U (1-3Amp 120v, 1-5TB)
24U – 2 to 3kW & 100M to GIGe (+)
Standard Density 48U – 2 to 5kW & 100M to GIGe (+)
High Density 48U – 10 to 17kW (3ph) & 1M to GIGe (+)
Standard 4 rack private cage, 5kW per rack & GIGe (+)
High Density 4 rack private cage, 20kW per rack & GIGe (+)
Houston
$79 – $139
$740 – $1000
$1040 – $1875
$2246 – $5200
$5500 – $6500
$16000 – $22500
Virginia
$108 – $250
$861 – $1100
$1500 – $1875
$2500 – $5200
$5750 – $6250
$16000 – $22500
Dallas
$130 – $250
$1100 – $1500
$699 – $1875
$749 – $4700
$4250 – $6000
$14000 – $18000

Prices may change, to clarify the price leave a request

Why We’re Different

Why QuoteColo is unique: We’re not a data center trying to sell you our facility, we’re a broker with 500+ partner data centers. That means our only job is to find your best fit. We compare providers and hand-pick the ones that meet your needs. You get unbiased recommendations at no charge.”

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Bob Spiegel, CEO at www.quotecolo.com

How It Works

Step 1
Step 1
Submit Your Request

Share your specific needs: rack count, power draw, location preference (downtown vs suburban), carrier requirements, budget.

Step 2
Step 2
Get Quotes Quickly

We send you a shortlist of providers that meet your specs.

Step 3
Step 3
Make An Informed Decision

Compare multiple providers, review pricing & infrastructure, choose the best fit with no obligation.

What you’ll receive from us

  • Shortlist of Chicago facilities that align with your requirements (e.g., 350 E. Cermak vs suburban vs edge).
  • Quote matrix: kW rate, rack units, power feeds, cross-connects, carrier access, SLA.

  • Notes on trade-offs: premium carrier hotel vs cost savings; remote hands policies; growth capacity.
  • Option B recommendations if downtown Chicago premium isn’t justified (e.g., less dense suburb).

Why QuoteColo (We Make Chicago Colo Simple)

Vendor-agnostic

500+ vetted providers nationwide: we’re your independent match-maker.

Precision matching

We filter by power needs, rack density, carrier access, building location, budget.

Verified quotes fast

Side-by-side pricing, terms, cross-connect fees, usually within an hour.

Real savings

Clients often save 15–30% via competitive bids and right-sized commitments.

No cold calls, no obligation

Our service is free: you stay in control.

Why Choose Us

  • Access to 500+ providers across North America and worldwide
  • We don’t charge for referrals: completely free service
  • Our system sends you only qualified providers with trusted reputations

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    Is Chicago a Smart Colocation Market?

    • Great fit if you need central U.S. connectivity, excellent carrier diversity (e.g., at 350 E. Cermak) and competitive pricing with robust infrastructure.
    • Sweet-spot pricing: Chicago colocation typically ranges $115-$184 per kW/month, comfortably below many coastal markets while maintaining world-class connectivity.
    • Power cost advantage: Chicago electricity averages 14-16¢/kWh, below many major metros.
    • Market strength: Chicago has been cited as one of the strongest data-center markets globally.

    Honest Chicago Colocation Pricing Overview

    Navigating the Chicago colocation market smartly is key: you want value without sacrificing connectivity or reliability.

    • According to industry benchmark data, the average colocation rate in major North American markets is about $163.44 per kW/month for 250-500 kW deployments. 
    • For Chicago specifically, pricing is often cited in the ~$115-$184 per kW/month range.
    • Power costs in Chicago around 14-16¢/kWh, below many coastal markets.

    Why Chicago Delivers Value

    • Central U.S. location: good reach to both coasts and nationwide markets.
    • Strong carrier density: major facilities like 350 E. Cermak host dozens of network providers.
    • Competitive cost base: power, land, cooling costs are favourable compared to many metros.
    • Low supply-constraint risk: Chicago continues expanding data-center infrastructure steadily.

    Chicago Colocation Market Map: Where to Deploy & Why

    350 E. Cermak Road (South Loop)

    Premier carrier-hotel building, high interconnect density.

    CoreSite CH1 & CH2 (Downtown/Near South Side)

    Enterprise-grade facilities with strong cloud & carrier access.

    Suburbs (Elk Grove Village, Oak Brook, Naperville)

    Cost-efficient alternatives while staying in the Chicago metro.

    Edge locations (Aurora, Naperville)

    Good for DR, backup sites or cost-sensitive workloads.

    Popular Chicago Colocation Providers Snapshot

    • Digital Realty: 10+ Chicago-area data centres, including 350 E. Cermak.
    • Equinix: CH1, CH2, CH4 within the 350 Cermak ecosystem.
    • CoreSite: CH1 & CH2 facilities offer full carrier-neutral access and cloud on-ramps.
    • Flexential, CyrusOne, Colocation America, vXchnge: Other strong players offering varied pricing/performance trade-offs.

    Common Chicago Colocation Configurations & Pricing

    ConfigurationTypical PowerWhat You GetChicago Price Range*
    1U-2U Single Server~200-500 WBasic rack space + shared bandwidth~$59-$120/month
    Quarter Cabinet (1-2 kW)~1-2 kWLockable quarter rack~$350-$699/month
    Half Cabinet (2-4 kW)~2-4 kWDedicated half rack, carrier access~$700-$1,399/month
    Full 42U Cabinet (3-6 kW)~3-6 kWPrivate dedicated rack~$1,200-$2,799/month
    Full 42U Cabinet with dual power feed (6-10 kW)~6-10 kWPremium feed, carrier-hotel access~$2,000-$4,499/month
    Private Cage (20-100+ kW)20 kW+Multi-rack private space, extensive servicesCustom pricing
    High-Density Racks (15-30 kW+)15-30 kWAdvanced cooling/GPU/AI workloadsPremium +25-40%

    * Estimates only. Pricing varies by power load, facility tier, location, term, and carrier access.

    Chicago Connectivity & Network Advantages

    • 350 E. Cermak serves as a key interconnection point in the Midwest with very high carrier density.
    • Direct cloud on-ramps and network presence: major public clouds, enterprise networks, carriers all present.
    • Central geographic location provides latency advantages to many U.S. population centres, ideal for nationwide reach.

    Chicago vs Other Major Markets (Cost & Performance)

    FeatureChicago ColocationCoastal / Premium Markets
    Avg Price / kW/month~$115-$184~$200-$300+
    Power cost~14-16¢/kWh20-27¢/kWh+
    Carrier densityVery high (70+ in some facilities)Higher in some edge markets but at much higher cost
    Geographic positionCentral U.S. (good national reach)Often coastal or edge focused
    Best forBalanced performance & costPremium performance or niche applications

    How to Choose a Chicago Colocation Provider (6-Point Checklist)

    1

    Define your connectivity strategy

    what carriers, bandwidth, peering do you need?

    2

    Right-size power and density

    what kW per rack do you need now + growth?

    3

    Evaluate building & location

    downtown premium vs cost-effective suburb.

    4

    Analyse total cost of ownership

    rack rate + power + cross-connects + term.

    5

    Assess redundancy & SLA

    N, N+1, 2N power/cooling, fiber diversity.

    6

    Verify compliance & security

    SOC 2, SSAE 18, HIPAA, PCI-DSS, etc.

    Strategic Advantages of Chicago Colocation

    • Central U.S. Hub: Serves both coasts effectively.
    • Connectivity Rich: Strong carrier, network and cloud ecosystem.
    • Cost-Performance Balance: Very good value compared with premium markets.
    • Corporate Ecosystem: Close to many major enterprises, B2B connectivity benefits.
    • Lower Cooling Cost: Cooler climate helps reduce operating cost vs hotter regions.

    FAQs (Chicago-Specific)

    Is 350 E. Cermak worth the premium vs suburban facilities?

    If you need very high carrier density, direct cloud on-ramps, or low-latency network access, yes. If cost is prime and connectivity needs are standard, suburban facilities can offer strong value.

    How quickly can I deploy in Chicago?

    For standard cabinet space, you may see deployment in 2-4 weeks in suburban; downtown premium sites may take 3-6 weeks.

    Are high-density racks (e.g., 15-30 kW+) supported in Chicago?

    Yes, major facilities support high-density loads, but expect a premium (often +25-40% above standard rack pricing).

    What about natural-disaster risk in Chicago?

    Chicago has relatively low natural-disaster risk compared with many coastal markets.

    How do I compare downtown vs suburban colocation in Chicago?

    Downtown (e.g., 350 Cermak) gives you the highest connectivity and lowest latency but at a higher cost. Suburban gives cost savings with good connectivity if latency or ultra-carrier density is less critical.

    Bottom Line

    Chicago colocation offers an excellent balance of connectivity, cost, and strategic location earning its reputation as a top U.S. data-centre market. If you need reliable, high-performance infrastructure without the premium cost of coastal metros, Chicago is a very strong option.

    Let QuoteColo help you navigate the market: connect you with the best providers based on your exact specs and ensure you secure competitive pricing with confidence.

    • Ready to compare Chicago colocation quotes? Tell us your power requirements, carrier needs, location preference and budget. We’ll send you a tailored quote matrix so you can make a decision in minutes, not weeks.