Dubai ($39/sqft, 5.8% vacancy) and London ($121/sqft, 8.6% vacancy) compete on different axes: Dubai on rent and tax and London on talent depth.
Dubai ($39/sqft, 5.8% vacancy) and London ($121/sqft, 8.6% vacancy) compete on different axes: Dubai on rent and tax and London on talent depth.
| Metric | Dubai | London |
|---|---|---|
| Region | EMEA | EMEA |
| Country | United Arab Emirates | United Kingdom |
| Class A rent (USD/sqft/yr) | $39 | $121 |
| Class A rent (local) | 145 AED | 95 GBP |
| Vacancy | 5.8% | 8.6% |
| Trend | rising | rising |
| Prime yield | 7.5% | 4.5% |
| Premium flex / seat / month (USD) | $980 | $1,380 |
| Submarkets covered | 6 | 7 |
| Corporate tax | 9% | 25% |
| Metric | Dubai | London |
|---|---|---|
| Typical term | 3 yrs | 10 yrs |
| Typical rent-free | 3 mos | 24 mos |
| Lease norms | Standard lease 3 years with annual rent escalators (typically 5%) and a renewal option. Service charges billed separately. Security deposit of 5-10% standard. Ejari (lease registration) is mandatory. | London leases are predominantly Full Repairing and Insuring (FRI). Tenant pays service charge and is responsible for dilapidations on lease end. Rent reviews to open-market rent every 5 years are standard. Rent-free periods of 18-30 months on a 10-year term are typical, with 'capped' rent-free for break-clause certainty. Personal guarantees are uncommon for institutional tenants; rent deposits are common for younger covenants. |
| Tax note | Federal corporate tax of 9% on profits over AED 375,000 — applied since 2023. No personal income tax. No VAT on commercial leases (5% VAT on most other goods/services). | UK corporation tax is 25% (19% small profits rate). Business rates are a major occupancy cost — ~50% of rateable value annually, levied separately from rent and service charge. |
| Metric | Dubai | London |
|---|---|---|
| Talent index (0–100) | 78 | 96 |
| Talent note | Deepest cross-border financial-services and consulting talent pool in the Middle East. Average all-in compensation indexes 78. | Largest financial-services and technology talent pool in EMEA. Average all-in compensation indexes 96 vs. New York's 100. |
Dubai: Dubai Metro Red Line connects DIFC, Downtown, Internet City. Etihad Rail commuter network is in development.
London: The Elizabeth Line transformed cross-London commute times. Heathrow to Liverpool Street is 35 minutes; Paddington to Canary Wharf is 17 minutes. Crossrail-adjacent assets command a measurable rent premium.
Dubai is the cheaper Class A market on a USD basis.
London has the deeper talent index (96/100 vs 78/100).
Dubai has the lower headline corporate tax (9% vs 25%). Local incentives can change the effective rate materially.
Dubai typical term is 3 years with 3 months free; London runs 10 years with 24 months free.
Dubai: Dubai Metro Red Line connects DIFC, Downtown, Internet City. Etihad Rail commuter network is in development. London: The Elizabeth Line transformed cross-London commute times. Heathrow to Liverpool Street is 35 minutes; Paddington to Canary Wharf is 17 minutes. Crossrail-adjacent assets command a measurable rent premium.
Score Dubai, London 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 Samuel Okafor — EMEA contributing editor. Last updated 2026-04-15. See our methodology and editorial standards.