Jakarta ($24/sqft, 31.4% vacancy) and Singapore ($102/sqft, 5.4% vacancy) compete on different axes: Jakarta on rent and tax and Singapore on talent depth.

  • Class A rent: Jakarta $24/sqft vs Singapore $102/sqft.
  • Vacancy: Jakarta 31.4% vs Singapore 5.4%.
  • Talent index: Jakarta 72 vs Singapore 92.
  • Corporate tax: Jakarta 22% vs Singapore 17%.
  • Premium flex/seat/month: Jakarta $290 vs Singapore $1,180.

Jakarta vs Singapore: Class A office comparison

Jakarta ($24/sqft, 31.4% vacancy) and Singapore ($102/sqft, 5.4% vacancy) compete on different axes: Jakarta on rent and tax and Singapore on talent depth.

TL;DR

  • Class A rent: Jakarta $24/sqft vs Singapore $102/sqft.
  • Vacancy: Jakarta 31.4% vs Singapore 5.4%.
  • Talent index: Jakarta 72 vs Singapore 92.
  • Corporate tax: Jakarta 22% vs Singapore 17%.
  • Premium flex/seat/month: Jakarta $290 vs Singapore $1,180.

Market data side-by-side

MetricJakartaSingapore
RegionAPACAPAC
CountryIndonesiaSingapore
Class A rent (USD/sqft/yr)$24$102
Class A rent (local)380000 IDR138 SGD
Vacancy31.4%5.4%
Trendsofteningrising
Prime yield6.8%3.6%
Premium flex / seat / month (USD)$290$1,180
Submarkets covered56
Corporate tax22%17%

Lease norms

MetricJakartaSingapore
Typical term3 yrs4 yrs
Typical rent-free6 mos6 mos
Lease normsNet leases. 3-year terms with renewal options standard (HGU/HGB land tenure considerations apply). Free rent of 4-9 months on a 3-year deal.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 note22% Indonesian corporate income tax. 11% VAT. R&D super-deduction available. Special Economic Zones offer tax holidays for qualifying activities.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.

Talent

MetricJakartaSingapore
Talent index (0–100)7292
Talent noteDeep banking, consumer goods, and resources talent. Strong feed from University of Indonesia, ITB, Gadjah Mada, and major private universities. Bahasa Indonesia and English bilingual professional base.Premium APAC talent hub. Average all-in compensation indexes 92 vs. New York's 100.

Transit & commute

Jakarta: MRT Jakarta (North-South Line, East-West under construction), LRT Jakarta, TransJakarta BRT, KRL commuter rail. Soekarno-Hatta Airport connected via Airport Rail Link.

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.

Top submarkets — Jakarta

Top submarkets — Singapore

Decision criteria

Pick by cost

Jakarta is the cheaper Class A market on a USD basis.

Pick by talent depth

Singapore has the deeper talent index (92/100 vs 72/100).

Pick by tax

Singapore has the lower headline corporate tax (17% vs 22%). Local incentives can change the effective rate materially.

Pick by lease optionality

Jakarta typical term is 3 years with 6 months free; Singapore runs 4 years with 6 months free.

Pick by transit

Jakarta: MRT Jakarta (North-South Line, East-West under construction), LRT Jakarta, TransJakarta BRT, KRL commuter rail. Soekarno-Hatta Airport connected via Airport Rail Link. 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.

Run a 4-city comparison

Score Jakarta, 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.

Run a 4-city comparison →

Frequently asked questions

Is Class A office cheaper in Jakarta or Singapore?
Jakarta is cheaper on a USD basis: $24/sqft vs $102/sqft.
Which has better talent depth, Jakarta or Singapore?
Singapore indexes higher on talent depth (92 vs 72).
Which has more sublease availability, Jakarta or Singapore?
Jakarta carries higher vacancy (31.4% vs 5.4%) and therefore typically more sublease">sublease overhang.
What lease term should I expect in Jakarta vs Singapore?
Jakarta typical term is 3 years with 6 months rent-free; Singapore typical term is 4 years with 6 months rent-free.
How does transit and commuter access compare?
Jakarta: MRT Jakarta (North-South Line, East-West under construction), LRT Jakarta, TransJakarta BRT, KRL commuter rail. Soekarno-Hatta Airport connected via Airport Rail Link. 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.

Editorial provenance

Reviewed by Kenji Watanabe — APAC contributing editor. Last updated 2026-04-15. See our methodology and editorial standards.

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