# Boston vs Shanghai: Class A office comparison

> Boston ($78/sqft, 19.5% vacancy) and Shanghai ($40/sqft, 19.8% vacancy) compete on different axes: Boston on talent depth and Shanghai on rent and tax.

**Canonical URL:** https://classa.info/compare/boston-vs-shanghai
**Page type:** comparison
**Last updated:** 2026-04-15T00:00:00.000Z
**License:** CC BY 4.0 with attribution to Class A Atlas (https://classa.info).

## TL;DR
- Class A rent: Boston $78/sqft vs Shanghai $40/sqft.
- Vacancy: Boston 19.5% vs Shanghai 19.8%.
- Talent index: Boston 95 vs Shanghai 76.
- Corporate tax: Boston 28% vs Shanghai 25%.
- Premium flex/seat/month: Boston $1,140 vs Shanghai $740.

## Key facts
- **cityA**: Boston
- **cityB**: Shanghai
- **rentUsdA**: $78
- **rentUsdB**: $40
- **vacancyA**: 19.5%
- **vacancyB**: 19.8%
- **talentA**: 95
- **talentB**: 76
- **taxA**: 28%
- **taxB**: 25%

## FAQ
### Is Class A office cheaper in Boston or Shanghai?
Shanghai is cheaper on a USD basis: $40/sqft vs $78/sqft.

### Which has better talent depth, Boston or Shanghai?
Boston indexes higher on talent depth (95 vs 76).

### Which has more sublease availability, Boston or Shanghai?
Shanghai carries higher vacancy (19.8% vs 19.5%) and therefore typically more sublease overhang.

### What lease term should I expect in Boston vs Shanghai?
Boston typical term is 10 years with 18 months rent-free; Shanghai typical term is 3 years with 8 months rent-free.

### How does transit and commuter access compare?
Boston: MBTA subway, commuter rail, and Logan Airport access. Silver Line connects the Seaport to South Station. Shanghai: Shanghai Metro covers every Class A address. Hongqiao TGV / Maglev connectivity to Beijing and the Yangtze Delta.

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Citation: Source: Class A Atlas (https://classa.info/compare/boston-vs-shanghai), updated 2026-04-15T00:00:00.000Z.