Moving to Dubai? One of the first things on your checklist should be finding housing based on the cost of apartments in Dubai. Dubai has a wide range of neighborhoods, each catering to a certain target group based on their budgets and requirements. By analyzing data from the Dubai Land Department, ServiceMarket has prepared a rental guide on apartment prices in Dubai for you. This price guide can help you narrow down your search to a certain locality, depending on what kind of lifestyle you’re after and how much you are willing to spend on accommodation.
Keep in mind that if you are moving to Dubai from abroad you should get quotes from international movers in Dubai at least two weeks before you move. You can also get quotes from ServiceMarket for a local move if you are looking for moving companies in Dubai.
The Best Locales and Cost of Apartments in Dubai
One-bedroom apartments have been the benchmark for this rental price guide. For areas where villas outnumber apartments, the ranges given refer to 3-bedroom villas. You can use this guide to get a sense of which areas are suited to your budget, but rents can vary and some apartments may be beyond the ranges mentioned here.
1) Jumeirah Beach Residence, Dubai Marina, and Jumeirah Lakes Towers: These high-density areas are packed with those who are looking for a high-rise living in Dubai. JLT is a very family-friendly neighborhood with its parks and lakes. JBR offers great access to amenities and the beach, also making it well-suited for families. Whereas Dubai Marina apartments are among the more sought-after listings by couples as well as single people.
Dubai Marina (1BR apartment): 40,000 to 180,000 AED per year.
Jumeirah Beach Residence (1BR apartment): 70000 to 155000 AED per year.
Jumeirah Lake Towers (1BR apartment): 36,000 to 130,000 AED per year.
2) Emirates Hills, The Springs, The Meadows, and The Lakes: These areas are ideal for families with children or pets as they are full of spacious villas with gardens. Developed and managed by Emaar, each of these communities also have their own community centers that usually contain gyms, pools, grocery stores, and restaurants. The Springs is the most affordable option in this area. On the other hand, if you’re looking for a high-end property, then check out Emirates Hills. However, this is one of the most expensive areas in Dubai and you are unlikely to find anything below 450,000 AED per year.
The Lakes (3 BR villa): 230,000 to 260,000 AED per year.
Meadows (3 BR villa): 240,000 to 270,000 AED per year.
Springs (3 BR villa): 160,000 to 200,000 AED per year.
3) The Palm Jumeirah: This caters to those who truly want to experience the luxurious lifestyle of Dubai. The premium residences, of course, come with a hefty price tag.
Palm Jumeirah (1BR apartment): 75,000 to 260,000 AED per year.
4) Jumeirah Village: Even though Jumeirah Village is one of the more recently developed areas in Dubai, its villas, townhouses, and apartments have become very popular. It has a reputation as one of the more reasonably priced areas. The built site is near Al Khail Road, which means that it is relatively accessible.
Jumeirah Village (1BR apartment): 29,000 to 120,000 AED per year.
5) The Greens: Developed in a central location, this area has a mix of low rise and high rise apartments. There are a number of restaurants, lakes, and a nice jogging track to serve its residents. Many people move to this area because of its welcoming community. It is also a central location for people who work in Dubai Media City and Dubai Internet City.
Greens (1BR apartment): 50,000 to 120,000 AED per year
6) Arabian Ranches, Motor City, and Sports City: You will be able to find many apartments and townhouses in Motor City, which is located between Arabian Ranches and Dubai Sports City. Developed and managed by Emaar, Arabian Ranches is a compound with beautiful villas and private gardens. With a central community center and many shops and restaurants, it’s a high-end area where living is more expensive compared to some of the other areas in Dubai. Sports City is where you should be hunting for a budget-friendly option for your family.
Motor City (1BR apartment): 39,000 to 80,000 AED per year.
Dubai Sports City (1BR apartment): 28,000 to 89000 AED per year.
Arabian Ranches (3BR villa): 115,000 to 320,000 AED per year.
7) Downtown Dubai, DIFC, and Business Bay: This is where you’ll find high-flying professionals and business leaders since the area provides quick access to Sheikh Zayed Road and the commercial districts of DIFC and Business Bay. This is also the area around the popular Dubai Mall and Burj Khalifa. Many consider it as one of the most prime areas in Dubai – and its high rental prices reflect this!
Business Bay (1BR apartment): 45,000 to 199,000 AED per year.
DIFC (1BR apartment): 63,000 to 200,000 AED per year.
Downtown (1BR apartment): 60,000 to 1,750,000 AED per year.
8) Jumeirah, Umm Sequim, and Al Wasl: Most of the residential properties in this area are villas. Some of them are located in small compounds but most are independently built. It is renowned as one of the most beautiful residential areas in Dubai and is close to the beach. Many people are willing to rent expensive villas in Jumeirah because it is very centrally located and is an excellent area for families.
Al Wasl (3BR villa): 149,000 to 160,000 AED per year.
Jumeirah (3BR villa): 99,00 to 220,000 AED per year.
Umm Suqeim (3BR villa): 140,000 to 260,000 AED per year.
9) Deira and Bur Dubai: Both of these areas are considered to be among the oldest parts of Dubai. They consist of a mix of older and more contemporary buildings and have an increasingly dense population. You will find many hotels, shops, restaurants and shopping malls in these areas. They are ideal for families who are looking for affordable apartments.
Bur Dubai (1BR apartment): 30,000 to 155,000 AED per year.
Deira (1BR apartment): 21,000 to 115,000 AED per year.
10) Festival City: You can find apartments, townhouses, and villas in this area. With a number of shopping malls, schools, hospitality venues, and a golf club, it is an ideal residential area for families.
Festival City (1BR apartment): 45,000 to 84,000 AED per year.
11) Mirdif: This neighborhood is best suited for those who want to enjoy the luxury of having their own private garden and villa, but have budget constraints as well. It is ideal for those who work near the Airport or on Sheikh Zayed Road. Affordability is the main factor that draws people to Mirdif; you can get a spacious villa without breaking the bank.
Mirdif (3BR villa): 45,000 to 220,000 AED per year.
12) Dubailand: This new area attracts people who are looking for spacious but affordable apartments. Since it is still under development, it only has a few restaurants and shopping areas. That said, it still offers all the basic amenities that you need for day-to-day living.
Dubailand (1BR apartment): 86,000 to 170,000 AED per year.
Additional Points to Consider
Rent payments usually take the form of post-dated cheques. Many people choose to split the yearly payments, typically into 2-4 installments. This can vary depending on the agreement you sign with your landlord. However, remember that you can use this as a negotiating factor. Many landlords will agree to reduce the rent price if you agree to pay a year’s rent in advance.
When you rent property in Dubai it is normal to have to pay a fee to your real estate agent. Even though the law does not set a fixed amount, you can expect to pay around 5% of the total lease.
In addition to the basic rent and the agent’s fee, tenants also have to pay a security deposit of 5% of the annual rent for an unfurnished apartment. Although this is a refundable deposit, the landlord can use this amount to pay for any repairs necessary to restore the property to the state it was in when you first rented it.
You will also have to register your tenancy contract with Ejari, which is going to cost you AED 585 online. To set up your DEWA (Dubai Electricity and Water Authority) account, you will also have to pay a refundable deposit of AED 2,000 for an apartment, and a deposit of AED 4,000 for a villa.
Are you looking to move to Dubai from abroad? Request quotes from multiple international moving companies on ServiceMarket. Do any of the locales above catch your eye? Discuss moving more realistically with several reliable moving companies in Dubai on the ServiceMarket catalog.
