# Johannesburg vs London: Class A office comparison

> Johannesburg ($13/sqft, 16.2% vacancy) and London ($121/sqft, 8.6% vacancy) compete on different axes: Johannesburg on rent and tax and London on talent depth.

**Canonical URL:** https://classa.info/compare/johannesburg-vs-london
**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: Johannesburg $13/sqft vs London $121/sqft.
- Vacancy: Johannesburg 16.2% vs London 8.6%.
- Talent index: Johannesburg 78 vs London 96.
- Corporate tax: Johannesburg 27% vs London 25%.
- Premium flex/seat/month: Johannesburg $320 vs London $1,380.

## Key facts
- **cityA**: Johannesburg
- **cityB**: London
- **rentUsdA**: $13
- **rentUsdB**: $121
- **vacancyA**: 16.2%
- **vacancyB**: 8.6%
- **talentA**: 78
- **talentB**: 96
- **taxA**: 27%
- **taxB**: 25%

## FAQ
### Is Class A office cheaper in Johannesburg or London?
Johannesburg is cheaper on a USD basis: $13/sqft vs $121/sqft.

### Which has better talent depth, Johannesburg or London?
London indexes higher on talent depth (96 vs 78).

### Which has more sublease availability, Johannesburg or London?
Johannesburg carries higher vacancy (16.2% vs 8.6%) and therefore typically more sublease overhang.

### What lease term should I expect in Johannesburg vs London?
Johannesburg typical term is 5 years with 6 months rent-free; London typical term is 10 years with 24 months rent-free.

### How does transit and commuter access compare?
Johannesburg: Gautrain rapid rail (Sandton, OR Tambo Airport, Pretoria); Metrorail (limited); BRT (Rea Vaya). Heavy car dependency. OR Tambo International Airport on Gautrain. London: The Elizabeth Line transformed cross-London commute times. Heathrow to Liverpool Street is 35 minutes; Paddington to Canary Wharf is 17 minutes. Crossrail-adjacent assets command a measurable rent premium.

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