Occupancy Cost Ratio

Occupancy cost ratio is the total cost of occupying a space (base rent, CAM, taxes, insurance, utilities) expressed as a percentage of the tenant's gross sales, used to assess whether a retailer can sustainably afford their lease. A healthy occupancy cost ratio for most retailers falls between 5-12% of gross sales. When the ratio exceeds 15-20%, the tenant is under financial stress and may seek rent reductions, stop investing in the location, or ultimately close. For NNN investors, monitoring occupancy cost ratios provides early warning of tenant distress - even tenants with strong credit ratings can struggle at specific locations where sales don't support the rent burden. This metric is especially important when evaluating retail NNN properties in markets where consumer spending patterns are shifting.