How much does an apartment in Dubai cost in 2026: prices by area and the full cost of buying

As of October 2026, the median registered property transaction in Dubai over the preceding 12 months was AED 1,442,945 (about USD 392,906), or AED 1,722 per sq ft. A median studio cost AED 694,000 (USD 188,972), a one-bedroom AED 1,256,724 (USD 342,198), and a two-bedroom AED 2,207,000 (USD 600,953). Market activity is lower than a year earlier: the 12-month median price was 7.1% lower year on year, while September recorded 11,479 transactions, down 43.5% year on year. The purchase price is not the final budget: on a resale purchase, AED 1.5 million can become close to AED 1.6 million after DLD fees, trustee fees, agency commission and applicable VAT.

Dubai apartment prices in 2026: the market benchmark

The figures on this page cover registered Dubai Land Department transactions from October 2025 to September 2026, with data through 23 October 2026. They are transaction medians rather than asking prices, so they show what buyers actually paid in recorded deals.

For the whole Dubai market, the median transaction price was AED 1,442,945 (USD 392,906). The middle half of transactions fell between AED 867,000 and AED 2.69 million. Median apartment size was 835 sq ft.

USD conversions use AED 3.6725 per USD. We do not show prices in roubles because the rouble exchange rate changes and can materially alter a buyer’s personal budget. A buyer funding a purchase from Russia should calculate the required AED amount and review the practical transfer route separately; the guide on transferring money from Russia for a UAE property purchase explains the process without treating a broker as a payment provider.

The number often described as the “average Dubai apartment price” can be misleading. A citywide median includes different locations, unit sizes, ready homes and off-plan sales. Apartments accounted for 143,473 transactions during the period, and 75.1% of apartment transactions were off-plan. The median price of an off-plan unit may reflect a developer payment plan rather than a ready-to-move-in resale apartment.

Are Dubai property prices falling in 2026?

Registered activity and the median transaction price were lower than a year earlier. Over the 12-month period, Dubai recorded 181,510 transactions, down 12.7% year on year. The median price was AED 1,442,945, down 7.1% year on year.

September 2026 had 11,479 transactions, down 43.5% year on year and 5.9% from August. The September median price was AED 1,333,800, down 4.7% year on year. Off-plan represented 65.6% of September transactions and 68.1% of transactions across the 12-month period.

Price movements were not uniform. Median AED per sq ft fell year on year in Dubai Marina by 8.4%, in JLT by 12.3%, in Silicon Oasis by 11.2%, and in Business Bay by 0.8%. Other areas recorded higher median AED per sq ft, but a change in the mix of sold unit types can affect that measure.

Rents in some locations are lower than a year ago, so a purchase should not be assessed by a headline rental figure alone. Gross yields published for individual segments do not include purchase fees, service charges, financing costs, vacancy, furnishing, management or a buyer’s personal tax position. A tax adviser should assess any tax obligations in the buyer’s country of residence.

Apartment prices by Dubai area

The table below compares median registered transaction prices. The district median can be different from the median for a studio or one-bedroom because it includes other property types and sizes. For current transaction data by community, use the Dubai area pages with DLD prices and transactions.

Dubai Marina, JBR, Downtown Dubai, Dubai Creek Harbour and Palm Jumeirah are often grouped by buyers looking for central or waterfront apartments, but their price points differ sharply. A median one-bedroom in Dubai Marina was AED 1.62 million, compared with AED 2.38 million in Downtown Dubai and AED 3.45 million on Palm Jumeirah. A median Bluewaters one-bedroom was AED 5.5 million.

What can you buy for AED 500k, 800k, 1.2m, 2m and 3.5m?

The budget below is the apartment price only. It does not include DLD registration, trustee fees, agency commission, service charges or mortgage costs. A buyer should reserve a separate amount for those expenses.

A buyer with AED 600,000 looking specifically for a one-bedroom has a recorded median option in International City Phase 1 at AED 465,000. Discovery Gardens was above this level at AED 795,000, while the one-bedroom median in JVC was AED 1.12 million. The available unit may be priced above or below these medians depending on size, building, view, condition and whether it is ready or off-plan.

The full cost of buying: why AED 1.5 million becomes about AED 1.6 million

For a standard resale apartment purchase, the buyer should budget beyond the agreed property price. The main known items are the 4% DLD registration fee, the trustee office fee of AED 4,000 plus VAT for purchases from AED 500,000, and a resale agency commission of 2% plus VAT where an agent is engaged.

For an AED 1.5 million resale apartment, 4% DLD registration is AED 60,000. The 2% agency commission is AED 30,000 before VAT. Add the AED 4,000 trustee fee before VAT, and the subtotal before VAT and other case-specific items is AED 94,000. The purchase budget therefore approaches AED 1.6 million once VAT and relevant charges are added.

• Apartment purchase price: AED 1,500,000.
• DLD registration fee at 4%: AED 60,000.
• Trustee office fee: AED 4,000 plus VAT for purchases from AED 500,000.
• Resale agent commission at 2%: AED 30,000 plus VAT.
• Indicative total before VAT and other variable items: AED 1,594,000.

The exact amount depends on the transaction. A developer may charge an NOC fee, and the amount is case-specific. Buyers should use the Dubai property purchase fees calculator before making an offer, then confirm every fee shown in the transaction documents.

For a mortgaged purchase, there is also mortgage registration at 0.25% and a valuation cost. The valuation fee depends on the lender and case. A broker can explain the process and help coordinate property documents, but does not issue loans or open bank accounts. Read the guide to mortgages for non-residents in Dubai and use the mortgage calculator to test payment scenarios supplied by a bank.

Off-plan versus resale: when and how the money is paid

The core difference is timing. In an off-plan purchase, payments are made in instalments under the developer’s payment plan. Registration is made through oqood, the official interim registration for off-plan property, and the 4% DLD fee is commonly paid at the registration stage; confirm who pays it in the SPA.

An off-plan price should be read together with the payment schedule. The registered median may not represent the amount a buyer must pay immediately. In Dubai Maritime City, for example, 98.8% of transactions were off-plan; in Palm Deira the share was 97.6%; in Dubai World Central it was 95.6%. These transaction medians are not directly comparable with a ready secondary-market apartment requiring settlement on the transfer day.

For a resale property, the buyer normally needs the required purchase money and transaction fees available for completion at the trustee office. The broker does not receive, transfer, exchange or hold client funds. Payments should go only through the developer’s designated escrow arrangements or through the trustee office process, as applicable.

If keys have been handed over but a title deed has not been issued, the correct steps depend on the sale contract, project registration status, developer documentation and the reason for the delay. A broker can help collect and review the practical transaction documents, but a buyer needing an opinion on contractual rights, title or a possible dispute should instruct a qualified UAE lawyer.

Annual ownership costs: service charges and maintenance

The purchase costs are only the first layer. Apartment owners may have annual service charges. These charges relate to the building or community and can affect the practical cost of owning or renting out a unit. The amount is property-specific, so there is no reliable citywide annual figure for an apartment or a rule that it will fall.

Before signing, ask for the current service-charge information for the exact unit and building, rather than using a figure from another tower. The service-charge guide explains how Dubai service charges affect ownership costs and property returns.

A tenant’s obligations are determined by the tenancy agreement and the applicable registration arrangement. A buyer should not assume that a tenant automatically pays owner service charges. Where a payment is due, how it is paid and the consequences of non-payment depend on the relevant documents and procedures. For a dispute or a legal interpretation, consult a UAE lawyer rather than relying on a broker’s view.

Utility consumption, furnishing, mortgage payments, property management and repairs are also personal or property-specific expenses. They should be placed in a separate ownership budget instead of being treated as part of the DLD fee.

How to use the prices without relying on an asking-price headline

Start with the total cash available, then subtract the transaction costs before choosing a nominal property-price range. A buyer with AED 1.5 million available in total does not have AED 1.5 million available for the apartment itself if DLD fees, trustee charges and resale commission must still be paid.

Then distinguish ready and off-plan stock. A ready apartment can be searched in the catalogue of ready apartments in Dubai, while an off-plan decision requires close reading of the payment plan, oqood registration and the developer documentation.

Negotiation is possible on resale property, but a seller may accept, reject or counter an offer. The recorded median is a market reference, not an entitlement to a discount. A broker can compare the proposed unit with recent registered transactions and help prepare an offer, but cannot guarantee a final price, future resale price or rental income.

See also: prices in US dollars, euros and pounds · rent or buy: a calculation on DLD data · median prices per square metre in 18 districts (DLD data) · studio prices by area (DLD data) · house prices by area (DLD data) · what M to 0M buys in Dubai by DLD data.

Frequently asked questions

How much is the cheapest apartment in Dubai?

Among the listed area medians, the lowest studio median was AED 345,000 (USD 93,941) in International City Phase 1. The lowest one-bedroom median was AED 465,000 (USD 126,617) in the same area. Individual units can be priced differently from a median.

How much does a one-bedroom apartment cost in Dubai?

The citywide median one-bedroom price was AED 1,256,724 (USD 342,198). Area medians ranged from AED 465,000 in International City Phase 1 to AED 5.5 million in Bluewaters.

How much extra money is needed beyond the apartment price?

For a resale purchase, budget for 4% DLD registration, AED 4,000 trustee fee plus VAT for purchases from AED 500,000, and 2% agency commission plus VAT where applicable. NOC, mortgage and other costs depend on the case.

How much should I budget above the price?

For a resale purchase, a common planning range is roughly 7–10% above the price. The DLD fee alone is 4%, and trustee fees, agency commission and VAT increase the total. The final percentage depends on the price, whether there is a mortgage, the applicable NOC charge and other transaction-specific items.

Can I negotiate the price of a Dubai apartment?

Yes, particularly on a resale transaction, but there is no standard discount. Compare the unit with registered transactions in the same area and assess its size, building, condition and payment terms before making an offer.

What is oqood in Dubai property?

Oqood is the official interim registration used for off-plan property. A 4% DLD fee is commonly paid at registration, while payments follow the developer’s contractual instalment plan.

Who pays service charges: the owner or the tenant?

That depends on the tenancy agreement and the relevant property arrangements. Do not assume that service charges are automatically transferred to the tenant. For a contractual or legal interpretation, obtain advice from a qualified UAE lawyer.

Discuss a purchase in Dubai

If you are considering a purchase, arrange a free consultation to go through the property, the transaction steps and the documents.