The Office Comeback: How SF and NYC Stack Up in 2025

San Francisco is in the middle of an AI boom. Startups are scaling fast, funding is flowing, and talent is heading back to the office. But it’s not the only city seeing a resurgence in workplace traffic. New York City is keeping pace, driven by its own blend of industry anchors and in-person expectations.

According to the latest global rankings, SF and NYC are the top two startup hubs in the world in 2025, and they house more AI companies than any other cities globally. That momentum is showing up in their offices.

New Envoy data reveals that both cities saw meaningful growth in office attendance during the first half of the year. This isn’t just a return to old habits—it’s a reset. The workplace is evolving alongside the industries and innovations that call these cities home.

SF vs NYC: Which City Is Leading the Office Comeback?

San Francisco saw a 13.66% rise in workplace traffic compared to H1 2024, fueled largely by the AI boom and startup resurgence. Meanwhile, New York City saw a 33.19% increase, reflecting steady momentum among finance, media, and professional services firms that never fully left the office behind.

Different drivers, same outcome. In both cities, the workplace is back in business.
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‍AI Companies Are Showing Up—Literally‍

SF’s AI boom isn’t just reshaping the tech landscape. It’s changing how people work. Office traffic among tech companies in San Francisco grew 15.73% year-over-year. New York’s AI scene is growing, too. Office attendance among NYC-based AI companies rose 32.51% over the same period.

That suggests these companies value proximity for iteration, data security, and speed-to-market.

Two Cities, One Trend

SF and NYC may be 3,000 miles apart, but they’re moving in the same direction: toward a smarter, more intentional workplace. Rather than a blanket return to the office, companies are optimizing in-person time for connection, culture, and creativity.

We’ll continue tracking these trends in the second half of the year. Will SF’s AI boom sustain its momentum? Will NYC outpace it with corporate reinvestment? One thing’s for sure. The modern workplace is still being written, and the next chapter starts in the office.

San Francisco saw a 13.66% rise in workplace traffic compared to H1 2024, fueled largely by the AI boom and startup resurgence. Meanwhile, New York City saw a 33.19% increase, reflecting steady momentum among finance, media, and professional services firms that never fully left the office behind.

Different drivers, same outcome. In both cities, the workplace is back in business.

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This post is part of our Data Snack Series. Check out past blogs and our 2025 State of work report for more workplace insights.

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