Community guides

Where to buy in Dubai: guide to the communities

Yield and capital growth pull in opposite directions, and the right community depends on which one you are buying for. Each guide says plainly what a district does well and what it costs you.

At a glance

Dubai communities ranked by rental yield

The communities that pay the most monthly are rarely the ones that appreciate fastest. Both columns matter, and which one you weight is the actual decision.

Community Gross yield Per sqft From

Dubai South 8.5% AED 1,000 AED 600,000 Jumeirah Village Triangle 8% AED 1,200 AED 650,000 Business Bay 6.5% AED 1,700 AED 650,000 Dubai Creek Harbour 6% AED 2,000 AED 1,300,000 Dubai Marina 5.5% AED 2,100 AED 1,100,000 Downtown Dubai 5.2% AED 2,700 AED 1,600,000 Palm Jumeirah 4.5% AED 3,200 AED 2,000,000

The guides

Seven Dubai communities, and what each really costs

Rental income

Business Bay

Canal-side, commercial, fast-developing

Per sqft: AED 1,700
Yield: 6.5%
Growth: 5.5%
Service charge: AED 15 - 20

Business Bay runs along the Dubai Water Canal, immediately south of Downtown. Planned as the commercial counterpart to Downtown, it has become a dense residential district with offices in it.

2 listings here now Read the Business Bay guide

Capital growth

Palm Jumeirah

Exclusive, resort-style, waterfront

Per sqft: AED 3,200
Yield: 4.5%
Growth: 8%
Service charge: AED 20 - 30

The most recognisable man-made island in the world, and the address most international buyers name before any other in Dubai.

2 listings here now Read the Palm Jumeirah guide

Balanced

Dubai Creek Harbour

Waterfront masterplan, new-build, green

Per sqft: AED 2,000
Yield: 6%
Growth: 7%
Service charge: AED 14 - 18

An Emaar masterplan on the Dubai Creek, built around a marina and a long waterfront promenade, and still filling in.

1 listing here now Read the Dubai Creek Harbour guide

Rental income

Dubai South

Airport-adjacent, affordable, emerging

Per sqft: AED 1,000
Yield: 8.5%
Growth: 6%
Service charge: AED 8 - 12

A district built around Al Maktoum International and the Expo site, and the cheapest entry point into Dubai freehold that still has real infrastructure behind it.

Read the Dubai South guide