# Melbourne vs Shanghai: Class A office comparison

> Melbourne ($43/sqft, 18.4% vacancy) and Shanghai ($40/sqft, 19.8% vacancy) compete on different axes: Melbourne on talent depth and Shanghai on rent and tax.

**Canonical URL:** https://classa.info/compare/melbourne-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: Melbourne $43/sqft vs Shanghai $40/sqft.
- Vacancy: Melbourne 18.4% vs Shanghai 19.8%.
- Talent index: Melbourne 84 vs Shanghai 76.
- Corporate tax: Melbourne 30% vs Shanghai 25%.
- Premium flex/seat/month: Melbourne $720 vs Shanghai $740.

## Key facts
- **cityA**: Melbourne
- **cityB**: Shanghai
- **rentUsdA**: $43
- **rentUsdB**: $40
- **vacancyA**: 18.4%
- **vacancyB**: 19.8%
- **talentA**: 84
- **talentB**: 76
- **taxA**: 30%
- **taxB**: 25%

## FAQ
### Is Class A office cheaper in Melbourne or Shanghai?
Shanghai is cheaper on a USD basis: $40/sqft vs $43/sqft.

### Which has better talent depth, Melbourne or Shanghai?
Melbourne indexes higher on talent depth (84 vs 76).

### Which has more sublease availability, Melbourne or Shanghai?
Shanghai carries higher vacancy (19.8% vs 18.4%) and therefore typically more sublease overhang.

### What lease term should I expect in Melbourne vs Shanghai?
Melbourne typical term is 7 years with 14 months rent-free; Shanghai typical term is 3 years with 8 months rent-free.

### How does transit and commuter access compare?
Melbourne: Metro Trains (suburban rail), Yarra Trams (the world's largest tram network), and bus. Melbourne Metro Tunnel opens 2025 — adds five new stations under the CBD. 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/melbourne-vs-shanghai), updated 2026-04-15T00:00:00.000Z.