Dubai ($39/sqft, 5.8% vacancy) and New York ($102/sqft, 17.4% vacancy) compete on different axes: Dubai on rent and tax and New York on talent depth.
Dubai ($39/sqft, 5.8% vacancy) and New York ($102/sqft, 17.4% vacancy) compete on different axes: Dubai on rent and tax and New York on talent depth.
| Metric | Dubai | New York |
|---|---|---|
| Region | EMEA | Americas |
| Country | United Arab Emirates | United States |
| Class A rent (USD/sqft/yr) | $39 | $102 |
| Class A rent (local) | 145 AED | 102 USD |
| Vacancy | 5.8% | 17.4% |
| Trend | rising | rising |
| Prime yield | 7.5% | 5.6% |
| Premium flex / seat / month (USD) | $980 | $1,450 |
| Submarkets covered | 6 | 7 |
| Corporate tax | 9% | 27.5% |
| Metric | Dubai | New York |
|---|---|---|
| Typical term | 3 yrs | 10 yrs |
| Typical rent-free | 3 mos | 14 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. | Manhattan leases are predominantly modified-gross structures with operating-expense and real-estate-tax escalations over a base year. Free rent (12-18 months on a 10-year term) and fit-out-capex">tenant improvement allowances ($130-$180/sqft for high-spec build-outs) are core economic levers. Personal guarantees are uncommon at institutional tenant scale; Good Guy Guarantees remain standard for smaller suites. |
| 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). | Combined federal + New York State + NYC corporate income tax effectively reaches 27.5% for most C-corps. New York City Commercial Rent Tax (CRT) applies to Manhattan tenants south of 96th Street paying base rents above $250,000. |
| Metric | Dubai | New York |
|---|---|---|
| Talent index (0–100) | 78 | 100 |
| Talent note | Deepest cross-border financial-services and consulting talent pool in the Middle East. Average all-in compensation indexes 78. | Deepest white-collar talent pool in the Americas. Average all-in compensation for senior knowledge workers indexes 100 (the global baseline used elsewhere in this Atlas). |
Dubai: Dubai Metro Red Line connects DIFC, Downtown, Internet City. Etihad Rail commuter network is in development.
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.
Dubai is the cheaper Class A market on a USD basis.
New York has the deeper talent index (100/100 vs 78/100).
Dubai has the lower headline corporate tax (9% vs 27.5%). Local incentives can change the effective rate materially.
Dubai typical term is 3 years with 3 months free; New York runs 10 years with 14 months free.
Dubai: Dubai Metro Red Line connects DIFC, Downtown, Internet City. Etihad Rail commuter network is in development. 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.
Score Dubai, New York 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.