Please register to access this content.
To continue viewing the content you love, please sign in or create a new account
Dismiss
This content is for our paying subscribers only

Business Property

Revealed: Cheapest, priciest places to live in Dubai right now

Looking for more budget-friendly flats to rent? These places could save you money



Many of Dubai's apartments may be expensive for the budget-conscious, but there are still cheaper options to be had.
Image Credit: Ahmed Ramzan/Gulf News

Highlights

  • Dubai's cost of living may be considered one of the highest in the world, but it doesn't mean tenants have to spend the entire year's salary to rent an apartment
  • A lot of communities, particularly those outside the city centre, continue to offer affordable rents that are just  under Dh40,000 a year
  • Still, flats in premium locations cost a fortune to rent, so it's best to avoid such areas if you're looking to save money 

Dubai: The city of Dubai isn’t widely known for its affordable rents, but there are some communities that offer great options for the budget-conscious tenant.

International City, located just about 20 kilometres from Burj Khalifa or Dubai Mall, is still the cheapest place to live in Dubai today, according to the latest data shared by real estate consultancy firm Asteco.

The average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the country-themed residential area in Al Warsan now stands at Dh37,500 per year, nearly three times cheaper than the cost of a flat in the Palm Jumeirah, the priciest place to live in Dubai right now.

READ MORE:

Asteco’s data suggest that some landlords in International City are offering rents for as low as Dh32,500 for a one-bedroom unit, while others may stick to Dh42,500 a year, still the lowest in the market.

Advertisement

Not far behind are four other popular locations that are also offering rental savings, and these are Deira, Jumeirah Village, Dubai Sports City and Discovery Gardens.

Tenants who may choose to rent an apartment in Deira can now expect to pay anywhere between Dh35,000 and Dh65,000 a year on a one-bedroom flat.

The price options are a lot more wallet-friendly compared to places like Dubai Marina, where rents can set one back Dh50,000 to Dh100,000 a year or the Greens, where landlords’ asking prices range between Dh60,000 and Dh80,000 annually.

In Jumeirah Village, another affordably priced community, apartments cost Dh40,000 to Dh57,500 a year, while in Dubai Sports City, accommodations can cost Dh40,000 to Dh60,000 a year.

For those working near Jebel Ali, the cheapest option is still Discovery Gardens, with rents now costing Dh45,000 to Dh55,000 a year.

Advertisement

An additional 3,850 residential units were completed in Dubai as of September this year, offering more options for the large renting population in the emirate.

As more units become available, tenants are now moving to other neighbourhoods either to upgrade to larger accommodations or to places that offer better quality specifications and popular locations without breaking the bank.

“Many tenants continued to take advantage of the abundance of choice,” said Asteco.

5 cheapest places to rent a one-bedroom flat

International City
Annual rent: Dh32,500 to Dh42,500.

International City is right next to Dragon Mart, a huge marketplace for China-made goods.
Image Credit: File photo
Advertisement

Deira
Annual rent: Dh35,000 to Dh65,000

One of the oldest communities in Dubai, Deira still offers great options for residents on a tight budget.
Image Credit: File photo

Jumeirah Village
Annual rent: Dh40,000 to 57,500

Jumeirah Village may be a bit far off for the commuting public, but rents in the area can make the household budget go a long way.
Image Credit: File photo

Dubai Sports City
Annual rent: Dh40,000 to 60,000

Advertisement
The Canal Residences in Dubai Sports City.
Image Credit: File photo

Discovery Gardens
Annual rent: Dh45,000 to 55,000

Discovery Gardens are popular among tenants who want to save money on rent. The area has feeder buses that can take commuters to the Dubai Metro.
Image Credit: File photo

At the other end of the scale, premium locations, including the man-made Palm Jumeirah island or those that offer easy access to the Dubai Metro, still command very high prices that can reach more than Dh100,000 a year.

The average rent for a one-bedroom flat in Palm Jumeirah stands at Dh100,000 a year, the most expensive so far, although some landlords may offer their unit for as low as Dh70,000 or a much as Dh130,000.

Advertisement

The second-costliest place to live in Dubai right now is the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) area, where rents can cost anywhere between Dh70,000 and Dh110,000 a year.

Apartments along Shaikh Zayed Road also cost a premium, with rates ranging between Dh65,000 and Dh105,000 a year. Residential units along the main thoroughfare are some of the most popular today, especially since they are within walking distance to the Dubai Metro.

Jumeirah Beach Residence is another costly option for the budget-conscious, with rents ranging between Dh70,000 and Dh95,000.

The perennially expensive Downtown Dubai is also in the top five priciest places to rent, with asking prices for a one-bedroom unit ranging between Dh60,000 and Dh100,000.

5 priciest places to rent a one-bedroom flat/ rental rates

Palm Jumeirah: Dh70,000 to Dh130,000

Advertisement

DIFC: Dh70,000 to Dh110,000

Shaikh Zayed Road: Dh65,000 to Dh105,000

Jumeirah Beach Residence: Dh70,000 to Dh95,000

Downtown Dubai: Dh60,000 to Dh100,000

Advertisement