London leads this ranking — talent index 96/100, Class A rent $121/sqft/yr, 8.6% vacancy — followed by Dubai and Singapore.
#1 London (score 100/100) — London trading-desk infrastructure and access anchor the global energy and commodities cluster.
#2 Dubai (score 92/100) — Dubai trading-desk infrastructure and access anchor the global energy and commodities cluster.
Lowest rent on this list: Dubai at $39/sqft/yr.
Deepest talent: New York at 100/100 talent index.
Lowest corporate tax: Dubai at 9%.
Best cities for an energy and commodities HQ
London leads this ranking — talent index 96/100, Class A rent $121/sqft/yr, 8.6% vacancy — followed by Dubai and Singapore.
TL;DR
#1 London (score 100/100) — London trading-desk infrastructure and access anchor the global energy and commodities cluster.
#2 Dubai (score 92/100) — Dubai trading-desk infrastructure and access anchor the global energy and commodities cluster.
Lowest rent on this list: Dubai at $39/sqft/yr.
Deepest talent: New York at 100/100 talent index.
Lowest corporate tax: Dubai at 9%.
Ranked list
#1 London — London trading-desk infrastructure and access anchor the global energy and commodities cluster. (score 100/100)
#2 Dubai — Dubai trading-desk infrastructure and access anchor the global energy and commodities cluster. (score 92/100)
#3 Singapore — Singapore trading-desk infrastructure and access anchor the global energy and commodities cluster. (score 84/100)
#4 New York — New York trading-desk infrastructure and access anchor the global energy and commodities cluster. (score 76/100)
#5 Zurich — Zurich trading-desk infrastructure and access anchor the global energy and commodities cluster. (score 68/100)
#6 Tokyo — Tokyo trading-desk infrastructure and access anchor the global energy and commodities cluster. (score 60/100)
Frequently asked questions
What is the #1 city on this list and why?
London ranks #1 with a score of 100/100. London trading-desk infrastructure and access anchor the global energy and commodities cluster. Class A rent is $121/sqft/yr with 8.6% vacancy and a talent index of 96/100.
Which city on this list has the cheapest Class A office rent?
Dubai has the lowest Class A rent at $39/sqft/yr, versus $121/sqft/yr for the most expensive market on the list (London).
Which city has the deepest talent pool?
New York scores highest on talent depth at 100/100. 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?
Dubai carries the lowest headline corporate tax at 9%. 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?
Dubai has the most competitive premium flex office pricing at $980/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.