# Melbourne vs Sydney: Class A office comparison

> Melbourne ($43/sqft, 18.4% vacancy) and Sydney ($89/sqft, 12.6% vacancy) compete on different axes: Melbourne on rent and tax and Sydney on talent depth.

**Canonical URL:** https://classa.info/compare/melbourne-vs-sydney
**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 Sydney $89/sqft.
- Vacancy: Melbourne 18.4% vs Sydney 12.6%.
- Talent index: Melbourne 84 vs Sydney 85.
- Corporate tax: Melbourne 30% vs Sydney 30%.
- Premium flex/seat/month: Melbourne $720 vs Sydney $990.

## Key facts
- **cityA**: Melbourne
- **cityB**: Sydney
- **rentUsdA**: $43
- **rentUsdB**: $89
- **vacancyA**: 18.4%
- **vacancyB**: 12.6%
- **talentA**: 84
- **talentB**: 85
- **taxA**: 30%
- **taxB**: 30%

## FAQ
### Is Class A office cheaper in Melbourne or Sydney?
Melbourne is cheaper on a USD basis: $43/sqft vs $89/sqft.

### Which has better talent depth, Melbourne or Sydney?
Sydney indexes higher on talent depth (85 vs 84).

### Which has more sublease availability, Melbourne or Sydney?
Melbourne carries higher vacancy (18.4% vs 12.6%) and therefore typically more sublease overhang.

### What lease term should I expect in Melbourne vs Sydney?
Melbourne typical term is 7 years with 14 months rent-free; Sydney typical term is 7 years with 30 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. Sydney: Sydney Metro and Sydney Trains converge at Wynyard, Town Hall, and Central. The new Sydney Metro City & Southwest line transformed core CBD commute capacity.

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