In the past year, the apartment sales landscape in Downtown Dubai and Dubai Marina has shown distinct characteristics. Downtown Dubai saw 1,833 ready apartment sales, averaging AED 3,031 per sq ft, with a gross yield of 5.3%. Meanwhile, Dubai Marina recorded 3,030 sales at an average of AED 2,368 per sq ft, yielding about 5.7%. Off-plan sales accounted for 37% of the market in Downtown Dubai, compared to 21% in Dubai Marina.
When examining bedroom liquidity, Downtown Dubai shows a strong preference for 2-bedroom units with 732 sales, followed by 1-bedroom units at 681. In contrast, Dubai Marina favors 1-bedroom units with 1,139 sales, followed by 2-bedroom units at 931. Yield-wise, Downtown Dubai leads with studios at 6.6%, 4-bedroom units at 6.4%, and 1-bedroom units at 5.7%. In Dubai Marina, studios yield 6.4%, 2-bedroom units 6.0%, and 1-bedroom units 5.8%.
Off-plan sales added 1,058 transactions in Downtown Dubai and 797 in Dubai Marina. The off-plan price per square foot was +37% above ready in Downtown Dubai and +79% in Dubai Marina. The Dubai Land Department recorded 1,096 mortgage registrations in Downtown Dubai and 1,874 in Dubai Marina. For an illustrative 80% / 25-year mortgage on a ready 1-bedroom, expect about AED 9,474 monthly in Downtown Dubai (AED 2,186,000) and AED 8,026 in Dubai Marina (AED 1,852,000).
For potential buyers, two distinct profiles emerge. Those seeking immediate rental income might focus on Downtown Dubai, with its overall yield of 5.3% and strong studio and 4-bedroom returns, or Dubai Marina, with its 5.7% yield and competitive studio and 2-bedroom performance. Alternatively, buyers interested in off-plan opportunities will find a larger share in Downtown Dubai at 37%, despite the PSF premium, compared to Dubai Marina at 21%.
Side by side
| Downtown Dubai | Dubai Marina | |
|---|---|---|
| Ready apartments (12m) | 1,833 | 3,030 |
| Average ready price | AED 4,128,000 | AED 3,024,000 |
| Ready PSF | AED 3,031 | AED 2,368 |
| Gross yield (ready) | 5.3% | 5.7% |
| Off-plan apartments | 1,058 | 797 |
| Off-plan share | 37% | 21% |
| Average off-plan price | AED 5,049,000 | AED 7,742,000 |
| Off-plan PSF | AED 4,167 | AED 4,231 |
| Off-plan PSF vs ready | +37% | +79% |
| Mortgage registrations | 1,096 | 1,874 |
Apartment sales (studio–6 bedroom and penthouse) from Dubai Land Department · 12 complete months to September 2026. PSF is sale price ÷ internal area. Mortgage registrations are a separate DLD series (new charge plus refinance), not the cash-versus-loan share of the sales above. Yield is indicative gross rent ÷ ready price.
Ready sales by bedroom
| Downtown Dubai | Dubai Marina | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unit type | Sales | Avg price | Avg PSF | Sales | Avg price | Avg PSF |
| Studio | 109 | AED 1,240,000 | AED 2,417 | 368 | AED 1,114,000 | AED 3,138 |
| 1 Bedroom | 681 | AED 2,186,000 | AED 2,432 | 1,139 | AED 1,852,000 | AED 2,156 |
| 2 Bedroom | 732 | AED 4,066,000 | AED 2,889 | 931 | AED 3,166,000 | AED 2,288 |
| 3 Bedroom | 257 | AED 6,831,000 | AED 3,386 | 464 | AED 5,265,000 | AED 2,486 |
| 4 Bedroom | 43 | AED 20,617,000 | AED 4,466 | 102 | AED 8,590,000 | AED 2,362 |
| 5 Bedroom | 9 | AED 31,772,000 | AED 4,223 | 9 | AED 28,962,000 | AED 4,140 |
| 6 Bedroom | 2 | AED 19,000,000 | AED 2,845 | — | — | — |
| Penthouse | — | — | — | 17 | AED 6,737,000 | AED 2,057 |
Ready gross yield by bedroom
| Unit type | Downtown Dubai | Dubai Marina |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | 6.6% | 6.4% |
| 1 Bedroom | 5.7% | 5.8% |
| 2 Bedroom | 5.0% | 6.0% |
| 3 Bedroom | 4.4% | 4.8% |
| 4 Bedroom | 6.4% | 4.8% |
Indicative gross yield: 12-month average annual rent ÷ ready sale price. Bedrooms with fewer than 20 ready sales on both sides are omitted. Outside the 2–12% quality band we show —. Off-plan has no current rental yield.
Off-plan sales by bedroom
| Downtown Dubai | Dubai Marina | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unit type | Sales | Avg price | Avg PSF | Sales | Avg price | Avg PSF |
| Studio | 394 | AED 1,784,000 | AED 3,965 | 36 | AED 1,378,000 | AED 3,408 |
| 1 Bedroom | 268 | AED 3,134,000 | AED 3,470 | 240 | AED 3,451,000 | AED 3,643 |
| 2 Bedroom | 283 | AED 5,118,000 | AED 3,504 | 315 | AED 7,064,000 | AED 4,148 |
| 3 Bedroom | 73 | AED 14,135,000 | AED 4,774 | 145 | AED 11,874,000 | AED 4,594 |
| 4 Bedroom | 37 | AED 31,643,000 | AED 5,674 | 54 | AED 19,919,000 | AED 4,306 |
| 5 Bedroom | 3 | AED 49,333,000 | AED 5,526 | 7 | AED 38,553,000 | AED 4,854 |
Villa sales
| Downtown Dubai | Dubai Marina | |
|---|---|---|
| Villa sales | 0 | 3 |
Shown only where DLD recorded villa sales in the window.
Ready mortgage registrations by bedroom
| Unit type | Downtown Dubai | Dubai Marina |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | 48 | 67 |
| 1 Bedroom | 398 | 575 |
| 2 Bedroom | 437 | 665 |
| 3 Bedroom | 153 | 365 |
| 4 Bedroom | 29 | 77 |
| 5 Bedroom | 6 | 10 |
| Penthouse | 0 | 8 |
Ready apartment mortgage registrations in the same window. A bedroom can show more registrations than sales (refinance of older stock).
Example: a 1-bedroom on a mortgage
On the average ready 1-bedroom — Downtown Dubai AED 2,186,000, Dubai Marina AED 1,852,000 — a 80% mortgage over 25 years at an illustrative 4.25% rate is about AED 9,474 per month in Downtown Dubai and AED 8,026 in Dubai Marina. This is not a quote. Your rate and instalment depend on your file and lender.
Ready vs off-plan mix
Share of apartment sales · 12 complete months to September 2026. Off-plan has no current rental yield.
Ready sales by bedroom
Ready apartment sales · 12 complete months to September 2026.
Ready gross yield by bedroom
Indicative gross yield (annual rent ÷ ready price) · as of September 2026. Thin bedrooms omitted.
Ready sales vs mortgage registrations
Each point is a bedroom · 12 complete months to September 2026. Registrations are a separate DLD series (new charge plus refinance).
What this means for your mortgage
We focus on the mix and premium differences between Downtown Dubai and Dubai Marina. With Downtown Dubai having 37% of sales off-plan and a PSF premium of +37%, versus Dubai Marina's 21% share and +79% premium, the choice depends on buyer priorities. For those seeking current income, the ready bedrooms in Downtown Dubai (Studio 6.6%, 4 Bedroom 6.4%, 1 Bedroom 5.7%) and Dubai Marina (Studio 6.4%, 2 Bedroom 6.0%, 1 Bedroom 5.8%) are key. For future handover, consider the off-plan share and premium. Begin with our mortgage eligibility calculator. See also TruValue valuation (AED 599; AED 299 with partner coupon).
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