Cheapest Areas to Buy an Apartment in Dubai (2026 Data)
International City is the cheapest place to buy an apartment in Dubai. Its median apartment sold for AED 419,146 in September 2026 (Property Monitor), and ready studios there sold for a median AED 340,000 in the first half of 2026, with the cheapest 10% going for under AED 283,500 (Dubai Land Department sales). Discovery Gardens, Dubai Residence Complex and Dubai Production City come next, all with median apartment prices under AED 700,000.
| Measure | Area | Price (AED) |
|---|---|---|
| Cheapest apartment community, median price, September 2026 | International City | 419,146 |
| Cheapest area for a ready studio, median, January to June 2026 | International City Phase 3 | 209,516 |
| International City ready studio, median, January to June 2026 | International City | 340,000 |
| Cheapest villa or townhouse community, median, September 2026 | Rukan | 1,443,571 |
The 15 cheapest areas to buy an apartment in Dubai, September 2026
| Community | Median price (AED) | AED per sq ft | Gross yield |
|---|---|---|---|
| International City | 419,146 | 658 | 8.9% |
| Discovery Gardens | 652,860 | 935 | 7.8% |
| Dubai Residence Complex | 670,026 | 832 | 7.8% |
| Dubai Production City | 686,256 | 986 | 8.6% |
| Rukan | 725,147 | 1,117 | 8.4% |
| Liwan | 798,913 | 867 | 7.6% |
| Dubai Silicon Oasis | 815,006 | 959 | 7.5% |
| Dubai South Residential District | 829,795 | 1,105 | 7.1% |
| Dubai Sports City | 842,530 | 957 | 8.1% |
| Dubai Studio City | 893,010 | 1,030 | 7.4% |
| Arjan | 911,740 | 1,375 | 6.5% |
| Al Khail Heights | 957,934 | 975 | 7.8% |
| Remraam | 993,977 | 937 | 8.0% |
| Wasl Gate | 1,021,105 | 1,374 | 7.3% |
| Al Barsha | 1,110,254 | 1,227 | 6.2% |
Source: Property Monitor, Dubai Real Estate Market Statistics, September 2026, read on 5 October 2026. Gross yield = average annual rent divided by median sale price for the same community.
Where can you buy a studio for under AED 500,000 in Dubai?
In 7 areas the median ready studio sold for under AED 500,000 between January and June 2026. The table counts only areas with at least 30 ready studio sales. International City Phase 3 is registered by the Dubai Land Department under the area name Warsan Fourth.
| Area | Median ready studio (AED) | Cheapest 10% sold under (AED) | Ready studio sales |
|---|---|---|---|
| International City Phase 3 | 209,516 | 194,391 | 124 |
| International City | 340,000 | 283,500 | 238 |
| Dubai Production City | 420,000 | 375,000 | 117 |
| Dubai Residence Complex | 440,000 | 366,722 | 69 |
| Dubai Silicon Oasis | 455,000 | 389,600 | 79 |
| Dubai Sports City | 479,500 | 395,000 | 212 |
| Dubai South | 495,262 | 427,000 | 101 |
Source: Dubai Land Department sales transactions (Dubai Pulse open data), registered 1 January to 30 June 2026, AKT calculation. Apartments only; gifts and mortgage registrations excluded.
Cheapest areas for a 1-bedroom apartment in Dubai
| Area | Median ready 1-bedroom (AED) | Ready 1-bedroom sales |
|---|---|---|
| International City | 462,250 | 270 |
| Dubai Residence Complex | 642,500 | 120 |
| International City Phase 3 | 670,000 | 85 |
| Dubai Production City | 680,000 | 168 |
| Dubai Silicon Oasis | 710,000 | 206 |
| Damac Lagoons | 725,000 | 48 |
| Dubai Sports City | 730,000 | 175 |
| Dubai South | 745,000 | 163 |
Source: Dubai Land Department sales transactions (Dubai Pulse open data), registered 1 January to 30 June 2026, AKT calculation. Apartments only; gifts and mortgage registrations excluded.
Cheapest villas and townhouses in Dubai
| Community | Median price (AED) | Gross yield |
|---|---|---|
| Rukan | 1,443,571 | 7.1% |
| DAMAC Hills 2 | 1,727,004 | 5.9% |
| Town Square Townhouses | 2,808,424 | 5.0% |
| Dubai South Townhouses | 3,090,209 | 4.6% |
| Serena | 3,237,026 | 4.5% |
| Reem Townhouses | 3,518,254 | 4.8% |
Source: Property Monitor, Dubai Real Estate Market Statistics, September 2026, read on 5 October 2026. Gross yield = average annual rent divided by median sale price for the same community.
What does the cheapest apartment cost in total?
A ready studio bought for AED 340,000 through an agent costs about AED 363,420 in total:
| Item | AED |
|---|---|
| Price | 340,000 |
| DLD transfer fee, 4% | 13,600 |
| DLD admin fee, apartment | 580 |
| Trustee office fee, under AED 500,000 (AED 2,000 + VAT) | 2,100 |
| Agent commission, usually 2% + VAT | 7,140 |
| Total | 363,420 |
Fees: Dubai Land Department, Property Sale Registration service page. The 4% transfer fee is usually paid by the buyer in practice; the agent's commission is agreed in the contract.
What to check before buying in the cheapest areas
- The building's annual service charge in the DLD Mollak system: it takes a bigger share of the rent on a cheap unit.
- That the unit is freehold and registered, with a title deed (ready) or an Oqood registration and escrow-backed project (off-plan).
- The real rent for that building, against the community average in our rent by area for September 2026.
- The building's age and maintenance record, which a low price often reflects.
How we checked this
Community prices, price per square foot and yields are Property Monitor's September 2026 figures, read on 5 October 2026. Studio and 1-bedroom prices by area are our calculation from every apartment sale the Dubai Land Department registered between 1 January and 30 June 2026, matched to the community names buyers use. Median means the middle sale. Yields by area are in our rental yields by area page, and prices by unit size in our apartment prices by size page.
Common questions
What is the cheapest area to buy an apartment in Dubai?
International City, with a median apartment price of AED 419,146 in September 2026. Discovery Gardens (AED 652,860) and Dubai Residence Complex (AED 670,026) follow.
How much is the cheapest studio in Dubai?
In International City Phase 3 the median ready studio sold for AED 209,516 in the first half of 2026, and in International City for AED 340,000. One in ten International City studio sales went for under AED 283,500.
Can you buy an apartment in Dubai for under AED 500,000?
Yes. In 7 areas the median ready studio sold for under AED 500,000 between January and June 2026, and in International City the median ready 1-bedroom sold for AED 462,250.
Which cheap areas have the highest rental yield?
Among the 15 cheapest apartment communities, International City (8.9%), Dubai Production City (8.6%), Rukan (8.4%) had the highest gross yields in September 2026.