Hong Kong ($186/sqft, 12.8% vacancy) and Taipei ($140/sqft, 4.2% vacancy) compete on different axes: Hong Kong on talent depth and Taipei on rent and tax.
Hong Kong ($186/sqft, 12.8% vacancy) and Taipei ($140/sqft, 4.2% vacancy) compete on different axes: Hong Kong on talent depth and Taipei on rent and tax.
| Metric | Hong Kong | Taipei |
|---|---|---|
| Region | APAC | APAC |
| Country | Hong Kong SAR | Taiwan |
| Class A rent (USD/sqft/yr) | $186 | $140 |
| Class A rent (local) | 1450 HKD | 4500 TWD |
| Vacancy | 12.8% | 4.2% |
| Trend | softening | rising |
| Prime yield | 3.4% | 3.4% |
| Premium flex / seat / month (USD) | $1,320 | $580 |
| Submarkets covered | 5 | 5 |
| Corporate tax | 16.5% | 20% |
| Metric | Hong Kong | Taipei |
|---|---|---|
| Typical term | 3 yrs | 5 yrs |
| Typical rent-free | 8 mos | 3 mos |
| Lease norms | Hong Kong leases are typically 3 years (with renewal option) or 6 years on the trophy tier. Rent-free of 6-12 months on a 3-year term is current market. Rent is gross with management fees billed separately. Stamp duty is payable on lease execution. Bank guarantees of 3 months are standard. | Net leases. 3-5 year terms standard with renewal options. Free rent of 2-4 months and TI of TWD 800-1,500/ping typical on a 5-year deal. |
| Tax note | Profits tax at 16.5% (8.25% on the first HKD 2 million for qualifying entities). No VAT, no capital gains tax, no withholding tax on dividends. | 20% Taiwan corporate income tax. Profit-seeking enterprise income tax structure with R&D credits and tax incentives for qualifying high-tech investment. |
| Metric | Hong Kong | Taipei |
|---|---|---|
| Talent index (0–100) | 88 | 86 |
| Talent note | Premium financial-services talent depth, particularly for cross-border China-mainland mandates. Average all-in compensation indexes 88 vs. New York's 100. | Deepest semiconductor and electronics talent in Asia. Strong feed from National Taiwan University, NTHU, and the broader Taiwan university system. Mandarin and Taiwanese operating environment with strong English in tech. |
Hong Kong: MTR coverage across the entire Class A footprint. Airport Express to Chek Lap Kok in 24 minutes from Central. The Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge and Express Rail to Shenzhen and Guangzhou support cross-border occupier strategies.
Taipei: Taipei Metro (Brown, Red, Green, Orange, Blue Lines + circular). Taoyuan Airport MRT to TPE airport. Taipei is highly walkable and Metro-served.
Taipei is the cheaper Class A market on a USD basis.
Hong Kong has the deeper talent index (88/100 vs 86/100).
Hong Kong has the lower headline corporate tax (16.5% vs 20%). Local incentives can change the effective rate materially.
Hong Kong typical term is 3 years with 8 months free; Taipei runs 5 years with 3 months free.
Hong Kong: MTR coverage across the entire Class A footprint. Airport Express to Chek Lap Kok in 24 minutes from Central. The Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge and Express Rail to Shenzhen and Guangzhou support cross-border occupier strategies. Taipei: Taipei Metro (Brown, Red, Green, Orange, Blue Lines + circular). Taoyuan Airport MRT to TPE airport. Taipei is highly walkable and Metro-served.
Score Hong Kong, Taipei 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.