Dubai Property  /  Areas Guide

Best Areas to Buy Property in Dubai

Compare yields, prices per sqft, and buyer demographics. Data-driven area selection.

7-8%
Avg. rental yield
AED 1,200
Avg. price/sqft
40+
Freehold areas
2024
Record transactions

Premium Investment Areas

Established locations. Strong capital appreciation. Lower yields but high demand.

Downtown Dubai skyline with Burj Khalifa

Downtown Dubai

Prime
5-6%
Yield
AED 2,500+
Per sqft

Burj Khalifa views. Dubai Mall access. Premium tenants. Highest price point but proven appreciation.

Landmark location Tourist demand Emaar properties
Dubai Marina waterfront with towers

Dubai Marina

Prime
6-7%
Yield
AED 1,800+
Per sqft

Waterfront living. Strong expat demand. Walk to beach. Established community with proven rental track record.

Waterfront Metro access Expat favorite
Palm Jumeirah aerial view

Palm Jumeirah

Ultra-premium
4-5%
Yield
AED 3,000+
Per sqft

Iconic island living. Villas and apartments. Lowest yield but strongest capital growth. Ultra high-net-worth buyer market.

Iconic address Beach access Prestige
Business Bay canal and towers

Business Bay

Growth
6-7%
Yield
AED 1,600+
Per sqft

Adjacent to Downtown. Mix of residential and commercial. Growing infrastructure. Good value vs Downtown.

Downtown adjacent Canal views New developments

High Yield Investment Areas

Better returns, lower entry price. Growing communities with upside potential.

Jumeirah Village Circle community

JVC (Jumeirah Village Circle)

High yield
7-9%
Yield
AED 900+
Per sqft

Best yields in Dubai. Family-friendly community. New developments. Lower entry point with strong rental demand.

Highest yields Family-friendly Affordable entry

JLT (Jumeirah Lakes Towers)

High yield
7-8%
Yield
AED 1,100+
Per sqft

Free zone benefits. Metro access. Lake views. Established community with consistent rental demand.

Free zone Metro connected Lake views

Dubai Silicon Oasis

High yield
7-8%
Yield
AED 750+
Per sqft

Tech hub. Free zone. University area. Young professional tenant base. Low entry with solid returns.

Tech ecosystem Free zone Low entry

Dubai Sports City

High yield
7-8%
Yield
AED 700+
Per sqft

Sports facilities. Family community. Lower prices = higher yields. Growing infrastructure.

Sports facilities Family area Budget friendly

Area Comparison Table

Side-by-side metrics for quick comparison.

Area Price/sqft Yield Service Charge Best For
Downtown AED 2,500+ 5-6% AED 17-40/sqft Capital growth
Marina AED 1,800+ 6-7% AED 14-28/sqft Rental + growth
Palm AED 3,000+ 4-5% AED 25/sqft Prestige
Business Bay AED 1,600+ 6-7% AED 13/sqft Value premium
JVC AED 900+ 7-9% AED 10-15/sqft Yield focus
JLT AED 1,100+ 7-8% AED 13-17/sqft Balanced
Silicon Oasis AED 750+ 7-8% AED 12/sqft Low entry
Sports City AED 700+ 7-8% AED 10/sqft Budget yield

Areas by Buyer Profile

Where to buy based on your goals and budget.

Golden Visa Buyer

AED 2M+ budget

  • Downtown (1 unit = visa)
  • Business Bay (good value)
  • Dubai Hills (villa option)
  • Palm (ultra-premium)

Yield Maximizer

ROI focused

  • JVC (highest yields)
  • JLT (established + yield)
  • Silicon Oasis (low entry)
  • Sports City (budget play)

Lifestyle Buyer

Personal use + rental

  • Marina (beach lifestyle)
  • Downtown (city living)
  • JBR (beachfront)
  • Dubai Hills (family)

Yield Quick Guide

Highest yield JVC (8-9%)
Lowest entry Sports City
Best growth Downtown/Palm
Most balanced Marina/JLT
Golden Visa easy Business Bay

Key Insights

Freehold areas: Foreigners can only buy in designated freehold zones. All areas listed here are freehold.

Service charges: Premium areas have higher maintenance costs. Factor into yield calculations.

Golden Visa: Any area works if property value meets AED 2M threshold.

Calculate Your Investment

Model currency movements across your payment schedule.

FX Calculator