Dubai Average Rent Prices: Cost Guide for Expats

The average rent in Dubai is around AED 6,398 (USD 1,742) per month for a one-bedroom apartment in the city center and AED 12,870 (USD 3,504) for a three-bedroom unit. For those looking for cheaper options, a one-bedroom in more affordable neighborhoods costs around AED 4,044 (USD 1,101), while a three-bedroom averages AED 8,635 (USD 2,351).

These figures show why location and apartment size play a major role in Dubai’s housing costs. This guide breaks down average rent prices in different parts of the city and compares them to major cities in the UAE and major locations worldwide. All prices are based on verified crowd-sourced cost-of-living data to help expats plan their move with confidence.

Pacific Prime used crowd-sourced data to determine the average rent prices in Dubai and other locations listed in this article. Currency conversion from USD to other currencies was based on the exchange rate at the time of writing.

Rent prices shown throughout the article are based on an apartment area of 430 square feet, or 40 square meters, for a one-bedroom apartment. Prices for a three-bedroom apartment are based on an apartment size of 860 square feet or 80 square meters.

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Average Monthly Rent in Dubai

The average rent in Dubai for a one-bedroom apartment in the city center is USD $1,742, and a three-bedroom apartment is USD $3,504. The average rent for a one-bedroom in a cheap neighborhood in Dubai is USD $1,101, and a cheap three-bedroom is USD $2,351.

Dubai Rent vs. Other UAE Cities

Rent in Dubai is significantly higher on average than the average rent prices in the United Arab Emirates. This means the average rent price is much lower outside of Dubai. The biggest price difference in the average rent in Dubai versus the whole UAE is for city-center apartments.

• A one-bedroom apartment in the city center of Dubai costs 33% more on average than the average rent price for a city-center, one-bedroom apartment in the United Arab Emirates.
• On average, a three-bedroom, city-center apartment in Dubai is 30% more expensive than the average rent price in the United Arab Emirates.
• A cheap one-bedroom apartment in Dubai is 15% more costly than the average price for all of the United Arab Emirates.
• A cheap three-bedroom apartment in Dubai is 18% more expensive on average than the average for all of the United Arab Emirates.

Dubai Rent vs. Major US Cities

The average rent in Dubai is cheaper than rent in major US cities. Certain average prices for specific apartment types may be cheaper in select US cities than in Dubai, but most rent prices will be significantly cheaper in Dubai.

We compared the average monthly rent in Dubai to four cities spread throughout the continental United States: Chicago, Houston, New York, and Los Angeles.

The following table compares the average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the city center of each location in the United States and Dubai. New York’s average price is more than double Dubai’s average price for a similar apartment.

Here is a table that compares Dubai’s average rent price for a cheap one-bedroom apartment to cheap one-bedroom apartments in the same four major US cities. Los Angeles is double the average price in Dubai, and New York is a whopping 1.5 times more expensive.

Below, we compared the average monthly cost for a three-bedroom apartment in the city center of Dubai to Chicago, Houston, New York, and Los Angeles.

The table below shows the difference in average monthly rent costs between Dubai and four major US cities for a cheap, three-bedroom apartment.

Want more cost of living comparisons than just rent prices? Read Is Living in Dubai Cheaper than the United States?

Pacific Prime has more great resources for Americans researching a move to Dubai. Check out our blog post about living in Dubai as an Expat.

Dubai Rent vs. Canadian Cities

The average rent in Dubai, UAE is less expensive than in Toronto, ON, and Vancouver, BC in Canada for a one-bedroom apartment. However, rent in Montreal is less expensive than rent in Dubai. This means that moving to Dubai may or may not save Canadians money on rent.

Here are the comparisons between Dubai and these three Canadian cities for a one-bedroom, city-center apartment on average.

Here are the comparisons between Dubai and the same Canadian cities for a cheap one-bedroom apartment on average.

This table shows the comparisons of the average price for a three-bedroom apartment in the city center of Dubai versus the average price for a three-bedroom apartment in the city center of select Canadian cities.

Below, you will find the comparisons between the average price for a cheap three-bedroom apartment in Dubai compared to select Canadian cities.

For additional information and tips about living in Dubai as a Canadian, see this article.

Dubai Rent vs. UK Cities

Rent in Dubai is much cheaper on average than rent in London. Other UK cities are much cheaper on average than Dubai for Rent. For example, Birmingham and Liverpool are 6% to 38% cheaper on average.

Here are the comparisons between Dubai and these three cities in Britain for a one-bedroom, city-center apartment on average.

Here are the comparisons between Dubai and the same British cities for a cheap one-bedroom apartment on average.

This table shows the comparisons of the average price for a three-bedroom apartment in the city center of Dubai versus the average price for a three-bedroom apartment in the city center of select cities in England.

Below, you will find the comparisons between the average price for a cheap three-bedroom apartment in Dubai compared to select cities in Great Britain.

To discover more tips and advice about living in Dubai as an Expat, read this article about living in Dubai after the UK.

Dubai Rent FAQs

How much does rent cost each month in Dubai?

The average monthly cost of rent in Dubai for a city-center, one-bedroom apartment is AED 6,398.31. That’s $1,742 in US dollars, $2,373.78 in Canadian dollars, €1,371, and £1,349.66. A three-bedroom apartment costs AED 12,870.07 per month on average.

Is 3000 AED a good salary for living in Dubai?

3000 AED might seem like a decent summary. However, the UAE isn’t the cheapest and 3000 AED might not be enough for housing and accommodations as property rentals is one of the main expenses in the UAE.

How much does insurance cost in Dubai?

A private health insurance plan in Dubai for a 30-year-old expat can cost about USD $125 a month. The UAE, including Dubai, has mandatory health insurance requirements for all residents and citizens, expats must understand the costs of medical insurance in the UAE for a better understanding of their monthly expenses during their stay.

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Conclusion

Dubai has high average rent prices. Rent prices in the entire UAE are less expensive than in Dubai on average. However, Dubai has lower average rent prices than expensive major cities like New York and London.

Aside from property rentals, your health and well-being abroad is one factor that should not be overlooked. For further reading on medical insurance, check out our article on health insurance for Dubai visitors.

As an experienced international health insurance broker with over 20 years of experience, Pacific Prime has helped both expats and local citizens find health insurance plans that match both their budget range and unique healthcare needs.

Whether you’re an expat living in Dubai or a local citizen yourself, our team of specialists will be more than happy to help you out with impartial advice at no additional cost. If you have any further questions, please get in touch with us or get a free quote here.

• About
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Serena Fung

Head of Content at Pacific Prime

Serena Fung is the Head of Content at Pacific Prime, a global insurance brokerage and employee specialist serving over 1.5 million clients in 15 offices across the world. With 6+ years of experience writing about the subject, she aims to demystify the world of insurance for readers with the latest updates, guides and articles on the blog.

Serena earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from the University of British Columbia, Canada. As such, she is an avid advocate of mental health and is fascinated by all things psychology (especially if it’s cognitive psychology!).

Her previous work experience includes teaching toddlers to read, writing for a travel/wellness online magazine, and then a business news blog. These combined experiences give her the skills and insights she needs to explain complex ideas in a succinct way. Being the daughter of an immigrant and a traveler herself, she is passionate about educating expats and digital nomads on travel and international health insurance.

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