Your figures
Example value: enter the rate offered by your lender.
Buying costs less over 5 years by
AED 52,800
Buying includes AED 133,996 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 Dubai Harbour
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.
| Unit | Median rent / month | Mortgage payment / month* | Cash needed upfront |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-bed apartment | AED 10,833 | AED 13,023 | AED 750,784 |
| 2-bed apartment | AED 17,500 | AED 25,864 | AED 2,396,720 |
| 3-bed apartment | AED 29,167 | AED 35,101 | AED 3,251,095 |
* 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 Dubai Harbour?
For a 1-bed apartment, the median rent is AED 10,833 a month and the mortgage payment on the median price is about AED 13,023 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 Dubai Harbour?
About AED 616,789 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 Dubai Harbour on our partner brokerage Cevitas, and explore the projects currently sold off plan.