Dubai area · Rent vs buy

Rent vs buy in City Walk

In City Walk, a 1-bed apartment rents for a median AED 144,500 a year (AED 12,042 a month) and sells for a median AED 2,736,823, according to Dubai Land Department data. The calculator compares the full cost of renting and of buying with a mortgage over the number of years you choose.

Median price per m²
AED 34,340
Dubai: AED 18,545
Registered sales, 12 months
770
66.4% off plan
Median 1-bed apartment
AED 2,736,823
75 m² median size
Median annual rent
AED 144,500
1-bed apartment

Your figures

AED
AED
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Example value: enter the rate offered by your lender.

AED
yrs
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Buying costs less over 5 years by

AED 192,016

Net cost of buyingAED 530,484
Total rent paidAED 722,500
Your equity at the endAED 829,704

Buying includes AED 119,417 of Dubai Land Department fees.

Indicative simulation, not a loan offer, an approval or financial advice. Limits shown are the regulatory maximums; each lender applies its own credit policy. Interest rates are the ones you enter. Market figures are medians of Dubai Land Department registered data and describe the past, not future prices or returns.

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Monthly rent or monthly mortgage in City Walk

Median rent per month against the monthly payment on the median price, for an expatriate first-time buyer with the minimum down payment and an example rate of 4% over 25 years. The upfront column adds the DLD fees, before agent commission and bank fees.

UnitMedian rent / monthMortgage payment / month*Cash needed upfront
1-bed apartmentAED 12,042AED 11,557AED 666,781
2-bed apartmentAED 19,167AED 17,032AED 980,577
3-bed apartmentAED 26,625AED 26,601AED 2,464,899

* Example at 4% over 25 years; owners also pay service charges, which tenants do not.

What the comparison includes

  • Buying: down payment, purchase costs, every mortgage payment and service charges over the period, minus the equity you own at the end (property value minus the remaining loan).
  • Renting: every rent payment over the period, with the yearly increase you choose.
  • Property value change is your own assumption, set to 0% by default: past prices do not predict future ones.

Rent increases in Dubai

In Dubai, rent increases at renewal follow the Rental Index published by the Dubai Land Department (RERA), which sets the maximum increase according to how the current rent compares with the average for similar homes. Check your own case with the index before you set the yearly increase.

Frequently asked questions

Is it cheaper to rent or buy in City Walk?

For a 1-bed apartment, the median rent is AED 12,042 a month and the mortgage payment on the median price is about AED 11,557 at the example rate. The answer depends on how long you stay, your rate and service charges: the calculator compares the total cost of both over your horizon.

How much cash do I need to buy instead of renting in City Walk?

About AED 547,365 of down payment on the median price for an expatriate first-time buyer, plus the DLD fees (4% registration fee, mortgage registration and smaller fees).

Over how many years should I compare?

Purchase costs are paid once, so buying usually needs several years to catch up with renting. Try 3, 5 and 10 years in the calculator to see where the lines cross for your figures.

Where do these figures come from?

Prices: medians of the sales registered with the Dubai Land Department between 16 October 2025 and 16 October 2026 (off-plan and ready). Rents: medians of the residential Ejari contracts starting between 20 October 2025 and 20 October 2026. Medians are only shown for unit types with at least 10 records.

Go further

See every registered sale, price by building and project in City Walk on our partner brokerage Cevitas, and explore the projects currently sold off plan.

Official sources

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