Shanghai ($122/sqft, 19.8% vacancy) and Taipei ($140/sqft, 4.2% vacancy) compete on different axes: Shanghai on rent and tax and Taipei on talent depth.
Shanghai ($122/sqft, 19.8% vacancy) and Taipei ($140/sqft, 4.2% vacancy) compete on different axes: Shanghai on rent and tax and Taipei on talent depth.
| Metric | Shanghai | Taipei |
|---|---|---|
| Region | APAC | APAC |
| Country | China | Taiwan |
| Class A rent (USD/sqft/yr) | $122 | $140 |
| Class A rent (local) | 880 CNY | 4500 TWD |
| Vacancy | 19.8% | 4.2% |
| Trend | softening | rising |
| Prime yield | 4.4% | 3.4% |
| Premium flex / seat / month (USD) | $740 | $580 |
| Submarkets covered | 5 | 5 |
| Corporate tax | 25% | 20% |
| Metric | Shanghai | Taipei |
|---|---|---|
| Typical term | 3 yrs | 5 yrs |
| Typical rent-free | 8 mos | 3 mos |
| Lease norms | Standard 3-year lease with renewal option. Rent gross of management fees but exclusive of utilities. Bank guarantee or rent deposit of 3-6 months standard. Reinstatement at lease-end is contractual. | 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 | Headline corporate tax 25% (15% for High and New Technology Enterprises). Free Trade Zone advantages exist. | 20% Taiwan corporate income tax. Profit-seeking enterprise income tax structure with R&D credits and tax incentives for qualifying high-tech investment. |
| Metric | Shanghai | Taipei |
|---|---|---|
| Talent index (0–100) | 76 | 86 |
| Talent note | Mainland China's deepest financial-services and tech talent pool. Average all-in compensation indexes 76. | 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. |
Shanghai: Shanghai Metro covers every Class A address. Hongqiao TGV / Maglev connectivity to Beijing and the Yangtze Delta.
Taipei: Taipei Metro (Brown, Red, Green, Orange, Blue Lines + circular). Taoyuan Airport MRT to TPE airport. Taipei is highly walkable and Metro-served.
Shanghai is the cheaper Class A market on a USD basis.
Taipei has the deeper talent index (86/100 vs 76/100).
Taipei has the lower headline corporate tax (20% vs 25%). Local incentives can change the effective rate materially.
Shanghai typical term is 3 years with 8 months free; Taipei runs 5 years with 3 months free.
Shanghai: Shanghai Metro covers every Class A address. Hongqiao TGV / Maglev connectivity to Beijing and the Yangtze Delta. Taipei: Taipei Metro (Brown, Red, Green, Orange, Blue Lines + circular). Taoyuan Airport MRT to TPE airport. Taipei is highly walkable and Metro-served.
Score Shanghai, 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.