# New York vs Shanghai: Class A office comparison

> New York ($102/sqft, 17.4% vacancy) and Shanghai ($40/sqft, 19.8% vacancy) compete on different axes: New York on talent depth and Shanghai on rent and tax.

**Canonical URL:** https://classa.info/compare/new-york-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: New York $102/sqft vs Shanghai $40/sqft.
- Vacancy: New York 17.4% vs Shanghai 19.8%.
- Talent index: New York 100 vs Shanghai 76.
- Corporate tax: New York 27.5% vs Shanghai 25%.
- Premium flex/seat/month: New York $1,450 vs Shanghai $740.

## Key facts
- **cityA**: New York
- **cityB**: Shanghai
- **rentUsdA**: $102
- **rentUsdB**: $40
- **vacancyA**: 17.4%
- **vacancyB**: 19.8%
- **talentA**: 100
- **talentB**: 76
- **taxA**: 27.5%
- **taxB**: 25%

## FAQ
### Is Class A office cheaper in New York or Shanghai?
Shanghai is cheaper on a USD basis: $40/sqft vs $102/sqft.

### Which has better talent depth, New York or Shanghai?
New York indexes higher on talent depth (100 vs 76).

### Which has more sublease availability, New York or Shanghai?
Shanghai carries higher vacancy (19.8% vs 17.4%) and therefore typically more sublease overhang.

### What lease term should I expect in New York vs Shanghai?
New York typical term is 10 years with 14 months rent-free; Shanghai typical term is 3 years with 8 months rent-free.

### How does transit and commuter access compare?
New York: MTA subway lines, Metro-North, LIRR, and PATH converge on Midtown and the Financial District, anchored by Grand Central, Penn Station, and the Oculus. Class A landlords now factor commute time as part of their leasing pitch. Shanghai: Shanghai Metro covers every Class A address. Hongqiao TGV / Maglev connectivity to Beijing and the Yangtze Delta.

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