Hyderabad leads this ranking — talent index 80/100, Class A rent $13/sqft/yr, 17.4% vacancy — followed by Bangalore and Delhi-NCR.

  • #1 Hyderabad (score 100/100) — Hyderabad combines a 80/100 talent index with Class A rent of $13/sqft/yr — one of the most cost-effective GBS locations we track with deep English-speaking professional talent.
  • #2 Bangalore (score 92/100) — Bangalore combines a 82/100 talent index with Class A rent of $16/sqft/yr — one of the most cost-effective GBS locations we track with deep English-speaking professional talent.
  • Lowest rent on this list: Hyderabad at $13/sqft/yr.
  • Deepest talent: Montreal at 86/100 talent index.
  • Lowest corporate tax: Warsaw at 19%.

Best cities for back-office and Global Business Services centers

Hyderabad leads this ranking — talent index 80/100, Class A rent $13/sqft/yr, 17.4% vacancy — followed by Bangalore and Delhi-NCR.

TL;DR

  • #1 Hyderabad (score 100/100) — Hyderabad combines a 80/100 talent index with Class A rent of $13/sqft/yr — one of the most cost-effective GBS locations we track with deep English-speaking professional talent.
  • #2 Bangalore (score 92/100) — Bangalore combines a 82/100 talent index with Class A rent of $16/sqft/yr — one of the most cost-effective GBS locations we track with deep English-speaking professional talent.
  • Lowest rent on this list: Hyderabad at $13/sqft/yr.
  • Deepest talent: Montreal at 86/100 talent index.
  • Lowest corporate tax: Warsaw at 19%.

Ranked list

  1. #1 Hyderabad — Hyderabad combines a 80/100 talent index with Class A rent of $13/sqft/yr — one of the most cost-effective GBS locations we track with deep English-speaking professional talent. (score 100/100)
  2. #2 Bangalore — Bangalore combines a 82/100 talent index with Class A rent of $16/sqft/yr — one of the most cost-effective GBS locations we track with deep English-speaking professional talent. (score 92/100)
  3. #3 Delhi-NCR — Delhi-NCR combines a 84/100 talent index with Class A rent of $19/sqft/yr — one of the most cost-effective GBS locations we track with deep English-speaking professional talent. (score 84/100)
  4. #4 Warsaw — Warsaw combines a 80/100 talent index with Class A rent of $25/sqft/yr — one of the most cost-effective GBS locations we track with deep English-speaking professional talent. (score 76/100)
  5. #5 Kuala Lumpur — Kuala Lumpur combines a 76/100 talent index with Class A rent of $26/sqft/yr — one of the most cost-effective GBS locations we track with deep English-speaking professional talent. (score 68/100)
  6. #6 Montreal — Montreal combines a 86/100 talent index with Class A rent of $28/sqft/yr — one of the most cost-effective GBS locations we track with deep English-speaking professional talent. (score 60/100)
  7. #7 Manila — Manila combines a 76/100 talent index with Class A rent of $28/sqft/yr — one of the most cost-effective GBS locations we track with deep English-speaking professional talent. (score 52/100)
  8. #8 Dallas — Dallas combines a 84/100 talent index with Class A rent of $36/sqft/yr — one of the most cost-effective GBS locations we track with deep English-speaking professional talent. (score 44/100)

Frequently asked questions

What is the #1 city on this list and why?
Hyderabad ranks #1 with a score of 100/100. Hyderabad combines a 80/100 talent index with Class A rent of $13/sqft/yr — one of the most cost-effective GBS locations we track with deep English-speaking professional talent. Class A rent is $13/sqft/yr with 17.4% vacancy and a talent index of 80/100.
Which city on this list has the cheapest Class A office rent?
Hyderabad has the lowest Class A rent at $13/sqft/yr, versus $36/sqft/yr for the most expensive market on the list (Dallas).
Which city has the deepest talent pool?
Montreal scores highest on talent depth at 86/100. The talent index measures the density and quality of professional knowledge-economy workers across finance, technology, legal, and consulting sectors.
Which city on this list has the lowest corporate tax rate?
Warsaw carries the lowest headline corporate tax at 19%. Effective rates can differ materially due to IP box regimes, R&D credits, and bilateral tax treaties — always verify with a local adviser.
Which city offers the most competitive premium flex pricing?
Hyderabad has the most competitive premium flex office pricing at $260/seat/month. Premium flex includes full-service Class A-equivalent co-working with dedicated floors, branding options, and enterprise lease terms.
How is the ranking score calculated?
Scores use an editorial composite weighted for the specific use case — typically rent competitiveness, talent depth, lease optionality, regulatory infrastructure, and regional market depth. Scores run 0–100 and are reviewed quarterly alongside market data updates.
How often is this list updated?
Class A rent, vacancy rate, talent index, and corporate tax data are reviewed quarterly. Rankings are updated when market conditions shift materially — typically a >5% change in a key metric or a structural market event such as a major new supply wave or policy change.