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Dubai · Freehold

Buying apartments in Downtown Dubai: 2026 prices, yields and costs

Prime central address around Burj Khalifa and Dubai Mall, dominated by branded and serviced stock. This page sets out the current asking-price band for apartments in Downtown Dubai, the gross yields investors are underwriting, and every one-off cost you pay on top.

AED 2100–3200
Price per sq ft
5.0–6.5%
Gross yield
from AED 1.60M
Entry ticket
500–1800 sq ft
Typical size
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What a typical apartment in Downtown Dubai costs and returns

Worked on a mid-range unit of 1,150 sq ft at AED 2,650 per sq ft. Figures are indicative market ranges, not an offer on any specific property.

Indicative purchase and income figures for a apartment in Downtown Dubai, 2026
Indicative purchase priceAED 3,047,500
Land-department transfer fee (4%)AED 121,900
Agency commission (2% + VAT)AED 63,998
Trustee & registrationAED 4,000–6,000
All-in one-off costs≈ 6.1% of price
Indicative gross annual rentAED 175,231
Annual service chargeAED 28,750 (AED 20–30/sq ft)
Indicative net yield after service charge4.8%
Annual property tax0% — the UAE levies none
Tax on rental income (UAE)0%

Net yield excludes management fees, vacancy and maintenance. Assume 8–12% of gross rent for a managed long-let and more for short lets.

Who rents apartments here

Short-let and executive tenants year-round; the strongest international brand recognition of any Dubai district.

Risks to underwrite before you commit

Entry prices are already prime, so returns depend on capital growth rather than cash flow, and service charges are among the highest in the city.

Why this asset type

Lowest entry ticket, deepest resale liquidity and the easiest asset to let out remotely, offset by annual service charges billed per square foot.

Residency and financing at this price level

At AED 1.60M entry, a single unit typically supports the 2-year investor visa (from around AED 750,000). Reaching the AED 2 million Golden Visa threshold usually means combining registered properties. Non-residents can generally borrow 50–60% loan-to-value from UAE banks, residents up to 80% on a first home, subject to income and age criteria.

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