{
  "url": "https://classa.info/compare/seoul-vs-shanghai",
  "title": "Seoul vs Shanghai: Class A office comparison",
  "description": "Side-by-side Class A office comparison for Seoul and Shanghai — rent, vacancy, talent, tax, lease norms, transit, and top submarkets.",
  "oneSentenceAnswer": "Seoul ($34/sqft, 5.2% vacancy) and Shanghai ($40/sqft, 19.8% vacancy) compete on different axes: Seoul on talent depth and Shanghai on rent and tax.",
  "tldr": [
    "Class A rent: Seoul $34/sqft vs Shanghai $40/sqft.",
    "Vacancy: Seoul 5.2% vs Shanghai 19.8%.",
    "Talent index: Seoul 82 vs Shanghai 76.",
    "Corporate tax: Seoul 24.2% vs Shanghai 25%.",
    "Premium flex/seat/month: Seoul $880 vs Shanghai $740."
  ],
  "keyFacts": {
    "cityA": "Seoul",
    "cityB": "Shanghai",
    "rentUsdA": "$34",
    "rentUsdB": "$40",
    "vacancyA": "5.2%",
    "vacancyB": "19.8%",
    "talentA": 82,
    "talentB": 76,
    "taxA": "24.2%",
    "taxB": "25%"
  },
  "faqs": [
    {
      "question": "Is Class A office cheaper in Seoul or Shanghai?",
      "answer": "Seoul is cheaper on a USD basis: $34/sqft vs $40/sqft."
    },
    {
      "question": "Which has better talent depth, Seoul or Shanghai?",
      "answer": "Seoul indexes higher on talent depth (82 vs 76)."
    },
    {
      "question": "Which has more sublease availability, Seoul or Shanghai?",
      "answer": "Shanghai carries higher vacancy (19.8% vs 5.2%) and therefore typically more sublease overhang."
    },
    {
      "question": "What lease term should I expect in Seoul vs Shanghai?",
      "answer": "Seoul typical term is 5 years with 6 months rent-free; Shanghai typical term is 3 years with 8 months rent-free."
    },
    {
      "question": "How does transit and commuter access compare?",
      "answer": "Seoul: Seoul Metro covers every Class A address. KTX high-speed rail to Busan and other regional centres. Incheon Airport is 53 minutes by AREX express. Shanghai: Shanghai Metro covers every Class A address. Hongqiao TGV / Maglev connectivity to Beijing and the Yangtze Delta."
    }
  ],
  "pageType": "comparison",
  "lastUpdated": "2026-04-15T00:00:00.000Z",
  "license": "CC BY 4.0 with attribution to Class A Atlas (https://classa.info).",
  "citation": "Source: Class A Atlas (https://classa.info/compare/seoul-vs-shanghai), updated 2026-04-15T00:00:00.000Z."
}