Frankfurt ($60/sqft, 8.4% vacancy) and Singapore ($102/sqft, 5.4% vacancy) compete on different axes: Frankfurt on rent and tax and Singapore on talent depth.
Frankfurt ($60/sqft, 8.4% vacancy) and Singapore ($102/sqft, 5.4% vacancy) compete on different axes: Frankfurt on rent and tax and Singapore on talent depth.
| Metric | Frankfurt | Singapore |
|---|---|---|
| Region | EMEA | APAC |
| Country | Germany | Singapore |
| Class A rent (USD/sqft/yr) | $60 | $102 |
| Class A rent (local) | 55 EUR | 138 SGD |
| Vacancy | 8.4% | 5.4% |
| Trend | flat | rising |
| Prime yield | 4.4% | 3.6% |
| Premium flex / seat / month (USD) | $1,080 | $1,180 |
| Submarkets covered | 6 | 6 |
| Corporate tax | 30% | 17% |
| Metric | Frankfurt | Singapore |
|---|---|---|
| Typical term | 7 yrs | 4 yrs |
| Typical rent-free | 9 mos | 6 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. | Singapore leases are typically 3-5 years, gross-rent based with the landlord covering most operating expenses inside the rent. Rent-free of 4-9 months on a 5-year term is standard. Rent reviews on renewal are open-market. Bank guarantees of 3-6 months are routine. Reinstatement at lease-end is contractual and usually significant — budget for it. |
| Tax note | Combined federal + state + Gewerbesteuer (trade tax) effectively 30% in Frankfurt. | Headline corporate tax of 17%, with a partial tax exemption for the first SGD 200,000 of chargeable income. A network of double-tax treaties and the Singapore Variable Capital Company (VCC) regime make Singapore particularly attractive for fund managers and family offices. |
| Metric | Frankfurt | Singapore |
|---|---|---|
| Talent index (0–100) | 88 | 92 |
| Talent note | Deepest banking-and-regulatory talent pool in continental Europe. Average all-in compensation indexes 88. | Premium APAC talent hub. Average all-in compensation indexes 92 vs. New York's 100. |
Frankfurt: Hauptbahnhof anchors S-Bahn, U-Bahn, ICE, and regional rail. Frankfurt Airport is 11 minutes by ICE.
Singapore: The MRT network reaches every CBD address. Changi Airport is 20 minutes by MRT or taxi. Jurong Region Line and Cross Island Line expansions are extending the catchment.
Frankfurt is the cheaper Class A market on a USD basis.
Singapore has the deeper talent index (92/100 vs 88/100).
Singapore has the lower headline corporate tax (17% vs 30%). Local incentives can change the effective rate materially.
Frankfurt typical term is 7 years with 9 months free; Singapore runs 4 years with 6 months free.
Frankfurt: Hauptbahnhof anchors S-Bahn, U-Bahn, ICE, and regional rail. Frankfurt Airport is 11 minutes by ICE. Singapore: The MRT network reaches every CBD address. Changi Airport is 20 minutes by MRT or taxi. Jurong Region Line and Cross Island Line expansions are extending the catchment.
Score Frankfurt, Singapore 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.