Dubai property prices in 2026: what an apartment costs, area by area
How much does property cost in Dubai in 2026? It depends above all on the area: a new studio starts around AED 450,000 in Dubai South, while a one-bed in Downtown starts above AED 1.4 million. This guide gives entry prices, indicative prices per square foot and typical yields for the main areas, then the costs to add and what moves prices.
- AED 450K new studio, entry level
- AED 1,100–5,000 per sq ft, by area
- 4% DLD fee on top
- 5–9% gross rental yield
- AED 2M Golden Visa threshold
Prices by area in 2026
| Area | Entry price (apartments) | Indicative AED / sq ft | Gross yield |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dubai South | From approx. AED 450–550K (studios) | 1,000–1,400 | 7–9% |
| Jumeirah Village Circle | From approx. AED 500–600K (studios) | 1,100–1,600 | 7.5–9% |
| Business Bay | From approx. AED 850K–1M (studios) | 1,900–2,800 | 6.5–8% |
| MBR City / Meydan | From approx. AED 900K–1.1M | 1,700–2,500 | 5.5–7% |
| Dubai Marina | From approx. AED 1.1–1.3M | 1,900–2,800 | 6–7.5% |
| Dubai Hills Estate | From approx. AED 1.1M | 2,000–2,800 | 5.5–7% |
| Dubai Creek Harbour | From approx. AED 1.3–1.5M (one-beds) | 2,000–2,700 | 5.5–7% |
| Downtown Dubai | From approx. AED 1.4–1.6M | 2,600–3,800 | 5–6.5% |
| Palm Jumeirah | From approx. AED 2.5–3M | 3,200–5,000+ | 5–6.5% |
Price per square foot varies widely inside each area with the view, the floor, the developer and whether the unit is off-plan or ready. Use these ranges to compare areas, then check recent Dubai Land Department transactions for a specific building.
What a typical budget buys
| Budget | What you can buy |
|---|---|
| Under AED 700K | A new studio in JVC, Dubai South, Arjan or Sports City |
| AED 700K – 1.2M | A one-bed in JVC or Dubai South, a studio in Business Bay or MBR City |
| AED 1.2M – 2M | A one- or two-bed in Business Bay, Creek Harbour, Dubai Hills or Downtown's Central Park |
| AED 2M – 4M | A Golden Visa property: two or three beds on the waterfront, in Downtown or Dubai Hills |
| AED 4M+ | Villas and townhouses in The Valley, Dubai Hills or DAMAC Lagoons, prime apartments on Palm Jumeirah |
See the current projects in each bracket on apartments for sale in Dubai.
Costs to add to the price
- Dubai Land Department fee: 4% of the price, plus registration and trustee fees of a few thousand dirhams.
- Agency fee: usually 2% on resale; 0% for the buyer on off-plan purchases with Cevitas, as the developer pays.
- Mortgage costs if you finance: valuation, arrangement fee and mortgage registration (0.25% of the loan).
- Service charges every year, from about AED 12 to 30 per sq ft depending on the building.
In total, plan about 4.5% on top of an off-plan price and 6 to 7.5% on a resale. Our investment simulator calculates them for your budget.
What drives Dubai property prices
- Population growth: Dubai keeps adding residents every year, which supports rents and demand for homes.
- New supply: large deliveries in one area can slow price growth there; we check the pipeline before recommending a project.
- Infrastructure: new metro lines, Al Maktoum Airport and new master plans lift the areas around them.
- Interest rates: they affect mortgage buyers, while a large share of Dubai purchases is paid in cash or through developer plans.
- Global wealth flows: 0% tax on rental income and capital gains for individuals and the Golden Visa attract international buyers.
Our view. Prices are no longer cheap in prime areas, so the choice of area, building and payment plan matters more than ever. Compare net yield and entry price, not headlines.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average price per square foot in Dubai?
Across the market it sits roughly between AED 1,100 and 5,000 per sq ft depending on the area: about 1,100 to 1,600 in JVC, 1,900 to 2,800 in Business Bay or Dubai Marina, 2,600 to 3,800 in Downtown and above 3,200 on Palm Jumeirah. These are indicative ranges.
How much is a studio in Dubai?
A new studio starts around AED 450,000 to 600,000 in Dubai South or Jumeirah Village Circle and around AED 850,000 to 1 million in Business Bay. Prime areas such as Downtown start higher.
Are Dubai property prices still rising in 2026?
Prices have risen strongly since 2021. Growth is now more selective: areas with new infrastructure and limited supply keep outperforming, while areas with heavy deliveries can plateau. Choosing the right building matters more than the overall index.
How much does a one-bedroom apartment cost in Dubai?
From about AED 800,000 in JVC or Dubai South, AED 1.2 million in Business Bay and AED 1.4 million or more in Downtown Dubai, depending on view, floor and developer.
What costs are added to the purchase price?
The 4% Dubai Land Department fee plus registration fees, an agency fee on resale (none for the buyer on off-plan with Cevitas) and mortgage costs if you finance.
Get the real prices of the projects that match your budget
We send you current price lists, floor plans and payment plans, with the price per sq ft compared to recent transactions in the area.