Frankfurt ($60/sqft, 8.4% vacancy) and Paris ($102/sqft, 7.6% vacancy) compete on different axes: Frankfurt on rent and tax and Paris on talent depth.
Frankfurt ($60/sqft, 8.4% vacancy) and Paris ($102/sqft, 7.6% vacancy) compete on different axes: Frankfurt on rent and tax and Paris on talent depth.
| Metric | Frankfurt | Paris |
|---|---|---|
| Region | EMEA | EMEA |
| Country | Germany | France |
| Class A rent (USD/sqft/yr) | $60 | $102 |
| Class A rent (local) | 55 EUR | 95 EUR |
| Vacancy | 8.4% | 7.6% |
| Trend | flat | rising |
| Prime yield | 4.4% | 4% |
| Premium flex / seat / month (USD) | $1,080 | $1,180 |
| Submarkets covered | 6 | 6 |
| Corporate tax | 30% | 25% |
| Metric | Frankfurt | Paris |
|---|---|---|
| Typical term | 7 yrs | 9 yrs |
| Typical rent-free | 9 mos | 18 mos |
| Lease norms | German leases run 5-10 years with break rights. Rent reviews are indexed to the CPI (Verbraucherpreisindex). Tenant pays Nebenkosten (operating costs) on top of base rent. Cautio (security deposit) of 3-6 months is typical. | The bail commercial is the standard lease — 9 years with tenant break rights at year 3 and year 6. Rent is indexed annually to the ILAT or ICC indices. Rent-free of 12-24 months on a 9-year term is standard. Service charges and tax foncière are typically passed through. Restoration to original is the default obligation. |
| Tax note | Combined federal + state + Gewerbesteuer (trade tax) effectively 30% in Frankfurt. | Headline corporate tax 25%. Local cotisation foncière des entreprises (CFE) and contribution sur la valeur ajoutée des entreprises (CVAE) add a meaningful local layer. Île-de-France tertiary tax (TSB) applies to office occupiers. |
| Metric | Frankfurt | Paris |
|---|---|---|
| Talent index (0–100) | 88 | 90 |
| Talent note | Deepest banking-and-regulatory talent pool in continental Europe. Average all-in compensation indexes 88. | Strong financial-services and luxury-brand talent pool. Average all-in compensation indexes 90 vs. New York's 100. |
Frankfurt: Hauptbahnhof anchors S-Bahn, U-Bahn, ICE, and regional rail. Frankfurt Airport is 11 minutes by ICE.
Paris: RER A and the Métro span the entire QCA. The Grand Paris Express network is materially reshaping Greater Paris commute economics through 2030.
Frankfurt is the cheaper Class A market on a USD basis.
Paris has the deeper talent index (90/100 vs 88/100).
Paris has the lower headline corporate tax (25% vs 30%). Local incentives can change the effective rate materially.
Frankfurt typical term is 7 years with 9 months free; Paris runs 9 years with 18 months free.
Frankfurt: Hauptbahnhof anchors S-Bahn, U-Bahn, ICE, and regional rail. Frankfurt Airport is 11 minutes by ICE. Paris: RER A and the Métro span the entire QCA. The Grand Paris Express network is materially reshaping Greater Paris commute economics through 2030.
Score Frankfurt, Paris 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.