Authored by the expert who managed and guided the team behind the United Arab Emirates Property Pack
Yes, the analysis of Dubai's property market is included in our pack
This blog post covers current apartment prices in Dubai as of January 2026, and we constantly update it with the latest market data.
Whether you're eyeing a studio in JVC or a luxury unit on Palm Jumeirah, you'll find practical price ranges for every budget and neighborhood.
And if you're planning to buy a property in this place, you may want to download our pack covering the real estate market in Dubai.
Insights
- Cash buyers represent roughly 87% of Dubai property purchases in early 2026, which keeps negotiations tight and typical discounts around 4% below asking price.
- Dubai apartment prices have climbed approximately 10% to 15% year-over-year, outpacing the UAE's low single-digit inflation rate significantly.
- Around 120,000 new residential units are scheduled for handover in Dubai in 2026, which may put moderate pressure on mid-market apartment prices.
- The Dubai Land Department transfer fee of 4% is legally split between buyer and seller, but in practice buyers pay the full amount in almost every transaction.
- Service charges in Dubai apartments vary dramatically from AED 10 to AED 30 per square foot per year, depending on building amenities and management quality.
- Dubai has no annual property tax, but owner-occupiers pay a housing fee of 5% of the annual rental value, collected monthly through DEWA utility bills.
- Expat buyers need a minimum 20% down payment for properties under AED 5 million, rising to 30% for properties above that threshold.
- Prime waterfront areas like Palm Jumeirah command roughly AED 25,000 to AED 48,000 per square meter, while budget areas like International City sit around AED 8,000 to AED 14,000 per square meter.
- Off-plan properties dominate Dubai's new supply pipeline at over 80%, meaning most buyers are purchasing apartments before construction completion.
- Affordable apartment rents in Dubai rose by over 20% in 2025, pushing more tenants toward ownership in budget-friendly communities like JVC and Dubai Silicon Oasis.
Fact-checked and reviewed by our local expert
Ines Benaddi 🇲🇦🇫🇷
Real Estate Agent, Dubai Real Estate
How much do apartments really cost in Dubai in 2026?
What's the average and median apartment price in Dubai in 2026?
As of January 2026, the average apartment price in Dubai is approximately AED 1,850 per square foot, which translates to around AED 19,900 per square meter, or roughly $5,420 USD and €4,980 EUR per square meter.
The median apartment price in Dubai in 2026 sits lower at around AED 1,700 per square foot (AED 18,300 per square meter, or about $4,985 USD and €4,580 EUR per square meter), because luxury properties in areas like Palm Jumeirah and Downtown Dubai push the average upward.
For a typical ready apartment in Dubai in 2026, most buyers find prices falling between AED 900,000 and AED 5 million (roughly $245,000 to $1.36 million USD, or €225,000 to €1.25 million EUR), which covers the bulk of the market from affordable communities to mid-range waterfront towers.
How much is a studio apartment in Dubai in 2026?
As of January 2026, a typical studio apartment in Dubai costs around AED 850,000 (approximately $231,000 USD or €212,000 EUR), though prices vary significantly by neighborhood and building quality.
Entry-level to mid-range studio apartments in Dubai in 2026 typically range from AED 450,000 to AED 1.1 million ($122,000 to $300,000 USD, or €112,000 to €275,000 EUR), while high-end or luxury studios in prime areas like Downtown Dubai or Palm Jumeirah can reach AED 1.2 million to AED 2.5 million ($327,000 to $680,000 USD, or €300,000 to €625,000 EUR).
Studio apartments in Dubai typically measure between 35 and 50 square meters (roughly 375 to 540 square feet), with newer developments in communities like JVC and Business Bay often offering slightly larger layouts than older towers.
How much is a one-bedroom apartment in Dubai in 2026?
As of January 2026, a typical one-bedroom apartment in Dubai costs around AED 1.35 million (approximately $368,000 USD or €338,000 EUR), representing the most common entry point for first-time buyers and investors.
Entry-level to mid-range one-bedroom apartments in Dubai in 2026 typically range from AED 650,000 to AED 1.8 million ($177,000 to $490,000 USD, or €163,000 to €450,000 EUR), while high-end or luxury one-bedrooms in areas like Dubai Marina or Downtown Dubai can reach AED 2 million to AED 4 million ($545,000 to $1.09 million USD, or €500,000 to €1 million EUR).
One-bedroom apartments in Dubai typically measure between 60 and 85 square meters (roughly 650 to 900 square feet), with waterfront and prime communities often offering more generous layouts than budget-focused developments.
How much is a two-bedroom apartment in Dubai in 2026?
As of January 2026, a typical two-bedroom apartment in Dubai costs around AED 2 million (approximately $545,000 USD or €500,000 EUR), which represents a popular choice for families and investors seeking rental income.
Entry-level to mid-range two-bedroom apartments in Dubai in 2026 typically range from AED 900,000 to AED 2.8 million ($245,000 to $762,000 USD, or €225,000 to €700,000 EUR), while high-end or luxury two-bedrooms in prime waterfront locations can reach AED 3.5 million to AED 8 million ($953,000 to $2.18 million USD, or €875,000 to €2 million EUR).
By the way, you will find much more detailed price ranges for apartments in our property pack covering the property market in Dubai.
How much is a three-bedroom apartment in Dubai in 2026?
As of January 2026, a typical three-bedroom apartment in Dubai costs around AED 2.8 million (approximately $762,000 USD or €700,000 EUR), though prices vary dramatically between affordable communities and luxury towers.
Entry-level to mid-range three-bedroom apartments in Dubai in 2026 typically range from AED 1.4 million to AED 4.5 million ($381,000 to $1.22 million USD, or €350,000 to €1.13 million EUR), while high-end or luxury three-bedrooms in prime areas like Downtown Dubai, DIFC, or Palm Jumeirah can reach AED 6 million to AED 15 million ($1.63 million to $4.08 million USD, or €1.5 million to €3.75 million EUR).
Three-bedroom apartments in Dubai typically measure between 140 and 205 square meters (roughly 1,500 to 2,200 square feet), with larger layouts common in family-oriented communities like Dubai Hills Estate and Arabian Ranches.
What's the price gap between new and resale apartments in Dubai in 2026?
As of January 2026, new-build apartments in Dubai typically command a premium of around 5% to 15% over comparable resale units in the same neighborhood, though this gap narrows or reverses in areas with heavy off-plan supply.
The average price per square meter for new-build apartments in Dubai in 2026 is approximately AED 21,000 to AED 23,000 (roughly $5,700 to $6,260 USD, or €5,250 to €5,750 EUR), reflecting newer amenities, modern finishes, and often better payment plan flexibility from developers.
Resale apartments in Dubai in 2026 average around AED 18,000 to AED 20,000 per square meter (roughly $4,900 to $5,450 USD, or €4,500 to €5,000 EUR), though older buildings with dated finishes or higher service charges can trade at steeper discounts of 15% or more below new launches.
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Can I afford to buy in Dubai in 2026?
What's the typical total budget (all-in) to buy an apartment in Dubai in 2026?
As of January 2026, the typical all-in budget to buy a standard one-bedroom apartment in Dubai is around AED 1.45 million to AED 1.50 million (approximately $395,000 to $408,000 USD, or €363,000 to €375,000 EUR) for a property with a purchase price of AED 1.35 million, once you add all transaction costs.
Beyond the purchase price in Dubai, your all-in budget should include the 4% Dubai Land Department transfer fee, roughly 2% agent commission plus VAT, trustee and admin fees of a few thousand dirhams, and if financing, mortgage registration costs of 0.25% of the loan plus bank processing and valuation fees.
We go deeper and try to understand what costs can be avoided or minimized (and how) in our Dubai property pack.
You can also read our dedicated blog article to understand what you can at different budget levels in Dubai.
What down payment is typical to buy in Dubai in 2026?
As of January 2026, a typical down payment for an expat buying their first apartment in Dubai is around 20% of the property value, plus closing costs, which means roughly AED 270,000 (approximately $73,500 USD or €67,500 EUR) for an AED 1.35 million one-bedroom apartment before adding fees.
Most banks in Dubai require a minimum down payment of 20% for expat residents purchasing properties valued up to AED 5 million, with this requirement increasing to 30% for properties above that threshold or for second/investment properties.
To secure favorable mortgage terms in Dubai, including better interest rates and faster approval, many advisors recommend a down payment of 25% to 30%, which also reduces your monthly repayment burden and provides a buffer against potential market corrections.
You can also read our latest update about mortgage and interest rates in The United Arab Emirates.
We made this infographic to show you how property prices in the UAE compare to other big cities across the region. It breaks down the average price per square meter in city centers, so you can see how cities stack up. It’s an easy way to spot where you might get the best value for your money. We hope you like it.
Which neighborhoods are cheapest or priciest in Dubai in 2026?
How much does the price per m² for apartments vary by neighborhood in Dubai in 2026?
As of January 2026, apartment prices in Dubai range from around AED 8,000 per square meter in budget areas to over AED 48,000 per square meter in ultra-prime waterfront communities, which translates to roughly $2,180 to $13,070 USD (or €2,000 to €12,000 EUR) per square meter.
The most affordable neighborhoods in Dubai in 2026 include International City, Dubai South, Dubai Silicon Oasis, and Discovery Gardens, where typical apartment prices sit around AED 8,000 to AED 14,000 per square meter ($2,180 to $3,810 USD, or €2,000 to €3,500 EUR per square meter).
The most expensive neighborhoods in Dubai in 2026 include Palm Jumeirah, Downtown Dubai, DIFC, and prime towers in Dubai Marina, where apartment prices typically range from AED 25,000 to AED 48,000 per square meter ($6,810 to $13,070 USD, or €6,250 to €12,000 EUR per square meter).
By the way, we've written a blog article detailing what are the current best areas to invest in property in Dubai.
What neighborhoods are best for first-time buyers on a budget in Dubai in 2026?
As of January 2026, the top three neighborhoods best suited for first-time buyers on a budget in Dubai are Jumeirah Village Circle (JVC), Dubai Silicon Oasis, and International City, all offering relatively affordable entry points with good community infrastructure.
Typical apartment prices in these budget-friendly Dubai neighborhoods in 2026 range from AED 450,000 to AED 1.2 million ($122,000 to $327,000 USD, or €112,000 to €300,000 EUR), making them accessible for buyers who want to enter the market without stretching their finances.
These affordable Dubai communities offer amenities like parks, retail outlets, gyms, and good road connectivity, with JVC particularly popular for its central location and Dubai Silicon Oasis attractive for its tech-focused community and upcoming metro line connectivity.
One potential trade-off of buying in these budget-friendly Dubai neighborhoods is that building quality and service charge levels vary significantly between towers, so buyers should always verify the specific building's approved service charges through the Dubai Land Department before committing.
Which neighborhoods have the fastest-rising apartment prices in Dubai in 2026?
As of January 2026, the three neighborhoods with the fastest-rising apartment prices in Dubai are Dubai Silicon Oasis, JVC (Jumeirah Village Circle), and Dubai South, all benefiting from infrastructure upgrades and strong end-user demand.
These fast-appreciating Dubai neighborhoods have seen estimated year-over-year price increases of 15% to 29% for affordable apartments, with Dubai Silicon Oasis leading due to renewed optimism around the upcoming Dubai Metro Blue Line extension.
The main driver behind the rapid price growth in these Dubai neighborhoods is a combination of improving infrastructure, relatively affordable entry prices compared to prime areas, and strong demand from end-users seeking alternatives to expensive waterfront communities.
You can also read our latest update about property price forecasts in Dubai.
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What extra costs will I pay on top of the apartment price in Dubai in 2026?
What are all the buyer closing costs when you buy an apartment in Dubai?
The estimated total buyer closing cost for a typical apartment purchase in Dubai is around AED 90,000 to AED 150,000 (approximately $24,500 to $40,800 USD, or €22,500 to €37,500 EUR) on an AED 1.35 million property, depending on whether you pay cash or use a mortgage.
The main categories of closing costs buyers must pay in Dubai include the 4% Dubai Land Department transfer fee, roughly 2% agent commission plus 5% VAT, trustee and admin fees of around AED 4,000 to AED 7,000, title deed issuance of AED 580, and developer NOC fees ranging from AED 500 to AED 5,000.
The largest closing cost for buyers in Dubai is the 4% DLD transfer fee, which alone represents AED 54,000 on an AED 1.35 million apartment and is legally split between buyer and seller but almost always paid entirely by the buyer in practice.
Some closing costs in Dubai are negotiable, particularly the agent commission in competitive market conditions, and occasionally developers cover certain fees as promotional incentives for off-plan purchases.
On average, how much are buyer closing costs as a percentage of the purchase price for an apartment in Dubai?
The estimated typical percentage of the purchase price that buyers should budget for closing costs in Dubai is around 7% to 8% for cash buyers, rising to 9% to 10.5% for buyers using mortgage financing.
The realistic low-to-high percentage range that covers most standard Dubai apartment transactions is 6.5% to 10.5%, with the lower end reflecting cash purchases with minimal brokerage fees and the upper end accounting for full mortgage-related costs.
We actually cover all these costs and strategies to minimize them in our pack about the real estate market in Dubai.
We did some research and made this infographic to help you quickly compare rental yields of the major cities in the UAE versus those in neighboring countries. It provides a clear view of how this country positions itself as a real estate investment destination, which might interest you if you’re planning to invest there.
What are the ongoing monthly and yearly costs of an apartment in Dubai in 2026?
What are typical HOA fees in Dubai right now?
Service charges (the Dubai equivalent of HOA fees) are very common in Dubai and typically range from AED 800 to AED 2,500 per month (approximately $218 to $680 USD, or €200 to €625 EUR) for a standard one or two-bedroom apartment, paid annually to cover building maintenance and amenities.
The realistic range of service charges in Dubai goes from around AED 10 per square foot per year in basic buildings to AED 30 per square foot per year in luxury towers with premium amenities like concierge services, private beach access, and high-end gyms, which translates to roughly AED 7,500 to AED 30,000 per year ($2,040 to $8,170 USD, or €1,875 to €7,500 EUR) for a 750 square foot one-bedroom apartment.
What utilities should I budget monthly in Dubai right now?
The estimated total monthly utility cost for a typical one-bedroom apartment in Dubai is around AED 600 to AED 1,200 (approximately $163 to $327 USD, or €150 to €300 EUR), covering electricity, water, and in some cases district cooling.
The realistic range of monthly utility costs in Dubai varies from AED 350 to AED 800 for a studio, AED 500 to AED 1,200 for a one-bedroom, and AED 800 to AED 1,800 for a two-bedroom apartment, with peak summer months pushing costs toward the higher end due to air conditioning demand.
The typical monthly utility budget in Dubai includes electricity, water (both supplied by DEWA), and cooling, with some buildings including chilled water in the service charge while others bill district cooling separately at AED 300 to AED 900 per month depending on unit size and season.
Electricity is typically the most expensive utility for Dubai apartment owners, especially during the hot summer months from May to September when air conditioning runs continuously and can account for 60% to 70% of the total DEWA bill.
How much is property tax on apartments in Dubai?
The estimated typical annual property tax equivalent in Dubai for an owner-occupier is around AED 5,000 to AED 8,000 per year (approximately $1,360 to $2,180 USD, or €1,250 to €2,000 EUR), collected as a housing fee rather than a traditional property tax.
Dubai does not have a classic annual property tax, but residents pay a Dubai housing fee calculated as 5% of the annual rental value of the property, which is collected monthly through your DEWA utility bill in 12 equal installments.
The realistic range of this annual housing fee in Dubai depends on your property's imputed rental value, so an apartment with a market rent of AED 100,000 per year would owe AED 5,000 annually ($1,360 USD or €1,250 EUR), while a luxury apartment with AED 200,000 annual rental value would pay AED 10,000 per year ($2,720 USD or €2,500 EUR).
If you want to go into more details, we also have a blog article detailing all the property taxes and fees in Dubai.
What's the yearly building maintenance cost in Dubai?
The estimated typical yearly building maintenance cost for apartment owners in Dubai is around AED 10,000 to AED 25,000 (approximately $2,720 to $6,810 USD, or €2,500 to €6,250 EUR) for a standard one or two-bedroom unit, which primarily consists of the annual service charge.
The realistic range of yearly maintenance costs varies from AED 7,500 per year in basic budget buildings to AED 35,000 or more per year in luxury towers with extensive amenities, depending on the building's per-square-foot service charge rate and your unit size.
Building maintenance costs in Dubai typically cover common area cleaning, security, landscaping, elevator maintenance, shared amenities like pools and gyms, and the building's external insurance, all bundled into the annual service charge.
In Dubai, building maintenance costs are essentially synonymous with the service charge for common areas, but owners should also budget an additional AED 1,500 to AED 6,000 per year for in-unit maintenance like AC servicing, plumbing repairs, and appliance upkeep depending on the apartment's age and condition.
How much does home insurance cost in Dubai?
The estimated typical annual home insurance cost for an apartment in Dubai is around AED 500 to AED 1,500 per year (approximately $136 to $408 USD, or €125 to €375 EUR) for contents coverage, rising to AED 2,000 to AED 5,000 per year if you add building cover for an owner-occupied unit.
The realistic range of annual home insurance costs in Dubai depends on coverage level and property value, with basic contents-only policies starting around AED 350 per year and comprehensive building-plus-contents coverage for a AED 2 million apartment running approximately AED 3,000 to AED 4,000 per year (roughly 0.15% to 0.2% of property value).
Home insurance is generally optional for apartment owners in Dubai, though mortgage lenders typically require building insurance as a condition of financing, and many prudent owners choose contents insurance to protect furniture and valuables against theft, fire, or water damage.
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What sources have we used to write this blog article?
Whether it's in our blog articles or the market analyses included in our property pack about Dubai, we always rely on the strongest methodology we can and we don't throw out numbers at random.
We also aim to be fully transparent, so below we've listed the authoritative sources we used, and explained how we used them and the methods behind our estimates.
| Source | Why it's authoritative | How we used it |
|---|---|---|
| Dubai Land Department (DLD) | It's Dubai's official regulator and land registry portal for property transactions. | We used it to ground service charges and transaction fees in official, building-level data. We also referenced it to explain how to verify a tower's approved fees before buying. |
| DEWA (Dubai Electricity and Water Authority) | It's the official utility provider with published tariff structures. | We used it to anchor the utilities budgeting section in real tariffs. We then translated those tariffs into realistic monthly ranges for typical apartments. |
| REIDIN | It's a long-running institutional data provider with explicit price-per-square-foot numbers. | We used it as one hard-number reference for average apartment prices per square foot. We then adjusted cautiously to arrive at an early 2026 estimate. |
| Knight Frank | It's a major global real estate consultancy with consistent market methodology. | We used it to triangulate citywide price levels and market dynamics. We combined it with REIDIN and portal data to form our 2026 estimates. |
| Savills | It's a major international consultancy that publishes periodic market snapshots. | We used it to cross-check the direction of travel with prices reaching new highs into late 2025. We kept our early 2026 estimate conservative given mixed outlooks. |
| ValuStrat | Its price index is widely cited and specifically built to track Dubai residential values. | We used it to triangulate growth rates and momentum in apartments versus villas. We used the index trend to avoid overreacting to one-off monthly numbers. |
| Bayut | It's one of the biggest UAE portals with price-per-square-foot data by community. | We used it to give neighborhood examples with real names and plausible price ranges. We treated it as a market thermometer and cross-checked with consultancy benchmarks. |
| dubizzle | It's a major marketplace brand that publishes community-level average prices. | We used it to add concrete examples like Dubai Marina's average price per square foot and typical unit prices. We cross-checked these against broader citywide benchmarks. |
| Reuters (citing Fitch Ratings) | It's a top-tier newsroom clearly attributing forecasts to a named ratings agency. | We used it to keep our early 2026 pricing assumptions realistic and not assume prices only go up. We incorporated it as a downside scenario when presenting ranges. |
| Property Finder | It's a major portal with a clear explanation of how the housing fee works in practice. | We used it to explain Dubai's property tax reality, which is actually a housing fee. We translated it into a simple annual and monthly budget item for owners. |
| QIC UAE (Qatar Insurance Company) | It's a regulated insurer offering real home insurance products in the UAE. | We used it to ground the insurance section in real, available coverage types. We paired it with market pricing ranges from other reputable sources. |
| Engel and Volkers UAE | It's an established international brokerage with practical buyer guidance. | We used it for a transparent rule-of-thumb premium range as a percentage of value. We converted that into AED per year examples for typical Dubai apartments. |
| The National News | It's a major UAE newspaper with analyst quotes and market outlook coverage. | We used it to incorporate 2026 market forecasts from Cushman and Wakefield Core and Fitch Ratings. We balanced bullish and cautious viewpoints in our estimates. |
| Khaleej Times | It's a leading UAE news source with direct quotes from industry CEOs and analysts. | We used it to capture 2026 market sentiment and transaction volume data. We incorporated viewpoints on market maturation versus correction scenarios. |
| Global Property Guide | It compiles UAE residential market data from multiple institutional sources. | We used it to cross-check supply pipeline numbers and rental growth trends. We validated our price growth estimates against their historical data series. |
| Mortgage Finder UAE | It's a mortgage comparison platform with detailed fee breakdowns. | We used it to itemize mortgage-related costs and validate total closing cost percentages. We incorporated their fee calculations into our all-in budget estimates. |
| Expatica UAE | It provides expatriate-focused guidance on UAE mortgage requirements. | We used it to explain down payment percentages and LTV limits for expat buyers. We validated their figures against UAE Central Bank regulations. |
| Totality Real Estate | It publishes detailed practical guides to Dubai property fees for buyers. | We used it to compile a comprehensive list of closing costs with specific AED amounts. We incorporated their worked examples to illustrate typical buyer scenarios. |
| Driven Properties | It's a Dubai brokerage with regularly updated service charge and DLD fee guides. | We used it to validate service charge ranges and explain 2026 reductions in some communities. We referenced their breakdown of admin and title deed fees. |
We created this infographic to give you a simple idea of how much it costs to buy property in different parts of the UAE. As you can see, it breaks down price ranges and property types for popular cities in the country. We hope this makes it easier to explore your options and understand the market.
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