Bangalore ($1/sqft, 14.2% vacancy) and Seoul ($102/sqft, 5.2% vacancy) compete on different axes: Bangalore on talent depth and Seoul on talent depth.
Bangalore ($1/sqft, 14.2% vacancy) and Seoul ($102/sqft, 5.2% vacancy) compete on different axes: Bangalore on talent depth and Seoul on talent depth.
| Metric | Bangalore | Seoul |
|---|---|---|
| Region | APAC | APAC |
| Country | India | South Korea |
| Class A rent (USD/sqft/yr) | $1 | $102 |
| Class A rent (local) | 110 INR | 142000 KRW |
| Vacancy | 14.2% | 5.2% |
| Trend | rising | rising |
| Prime yield | 8.5% | 4% |
| Premium flex / seat / month (USD) | $280 | $880 |
| Submarkets covered | 5 | 6 |
| Corporate tax | 25.17% | 24.2% |
| Metric | Bangalore | Seoul |
|---|---|---|
| Typical term | 9 yrs | 5 yrs |
| Typical rent-free | 6 mos | 6 mos |
| Lease norms | Net leases (tenant pays opex, taxes separately). 9-year terms with 3-year lock-ins standard. Free rent of 4-9 months and TI of INR 1,500-3,000/sqft typical on a 9-year Class A deal. | Standard 5-year lease (often 3+2). Rent + management fees billed separately. Large jeonse (lease deposit) common — 10-20x monthly rent. Reinstatement contractual. |
| Tax note | 22% base corporate income tax plus surcharges and cess for an effective rate of 25.17%. New manufacturing companies eligible for 15% concessional rate. SEZ benefits available in selected GCC parks. | Combined federal corporate tax 24.2% (after surtax). Local taxes apply. |
| Metric | Bangalore | Seoul |
|---|---|---|
| Talent index (0–100) | 82 | 82 |
| Talent note | Deepest tech and engineering talent pool in India — anchored by IISc, IIM Bangalore, IIIT-B, and a deep network of engineering colleges. English-fluent professional base supports global delivery operations. | Deepest tech (Samsung, LG, Naver, Kakao) and finance talent pool in Korea. Average all-in compensation indexes 82. |
Bangalore: BMRCL Namma Metro (Purple, Green, Yellow Lines), BMTC bus. Whitefield is now Metro-served (2023). Bengaluru Suburban Rail under construction. Heavy congestion on Outer Ring Road remains a tenant concern.
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.
Bangalore is the cheaper Class A market on a USD basis.
Talent indices are tied at 82/100.
Seoul has the lower headline corporate tax (24.2% vs 25.17%). Local incentives can change the effective rate materially.
Bangalore typical term is 9 years with 6 months free; Seoul runs 5 years with 6 months free.
Bangalore: BMRCL Namma Metro (Purple, Green, Yellow Lines), BMTC bus. Whitefield is now Metro-served (2023). Bengaluru Suburban Rail under construction. Heavy congestion on Outer Ring Road remains a tenant concern. 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.
Score Bangalore, Seoul and up to two more markets side-by-side on Class A rent, vacancy, talent, corporate tax, and premium flex pricing — all in USD.
Reviewed by Kenji Watanabe — APAC contributing editor. Last updated 2026-04-15. See our methodology and editorial standards.