Dubai Price per Square Foot by Community: Latest 2026 Data

Price per square foot is the most useful single number for comparing Dubai homes of different sizes and types. It lets a buyer judge whether a three-bedroom apartment in one tower is priced fairly against a similar unit next door, or how a villa community compares with a waterfront apartment district.

It is also easy to misread. Figures differ depending on whether they are based on registered transactions or advertised asking prices, whether they cover apartments, villas or both, and whether villa prices are measured on built-up or plot area. Every figure below is labelled with its source and date for that reason.

fäm Properties' September 2026 report, based on Dubai Land Department transactions and updated on 17 October 2026, put Dubai's median sale price at AED 1,656 per square foot. That was 2.0% lower than the AED 1,689 recorded in September 2025 — a gentle easing after several years of strong growth.

A median is less distorted by a handful of trophy sales than an average, which makes it the better yardstick for the broad market.

Knight Frank, in data reported by Khaleej Times on 21 October 2026, put Palm Jumeirah at about AED 4,083 per square foot after a 9.1% fall over twelve months. Bayut's advertised-price index, reported by Gulf News in June 2026, showed Palm Jumeirah asking prices at AED 4,471 per square foot in April 2026, up from AED 2,452 in May 2021 — an 83% rise over the period.

Jumeirah Islands showed the steepest climb in the Bayut index: from AED 1,523 per square foot in May 2021 to AED 3,844 in April 2026, a 153% increase. Exclusive, low-density villa communities with lakeside plots have been among the clearest beneficiaries of demand for space.

Jumeirah Park moved from AED 1,076 to AED 2,214 per square foot between May 2021 and April 2026 on Bayut's advertised data, a 106% increase. Over the same period the index recorded gains of 119% in Jumeirah Golf Estates, 110% in The Meadows, 109% in The Springs, 95% in Arabian Ranches and 87% in Dubai Hills Estate.

These are mature, well-served villa and townhouse communities where limited new land has kept supply tight relative to demand from families relocating to Dubai.

Jumeirah Village Circle remains one of the most accessible entry points into Dubai's apartment market, rising from AED 827 to AED 1,521 per square foot on Bayut's advertised index between May 2021 and April 2026 (+84%). Jumeirah Lake Towers rose 115%, Business Bay 78%, Dubai Marina 67% and Downtown Dubai 64% over the same period.

Central districts such as Downtown Dubai started from a higher base, so their percentage gains were smaller, but they remain among the city's most liquid locations. Remember that advertised prices typically sit above final transaction prices, particularly in a softening market.

The figures in this guide draw on two different kinds of data, and the distinction matters. Transaction prices, such as the fäm Properties median and Knight Frank's prime index, are based on sales actually registered with the Dubai Land Department. They show what buyers have paid. Asking prices, such as Bayut's advertised index, show what sellers are hoping to achieve.

In a rising market, the two tend to move closely together because homes sell quickly near their listed price. In a softening market, asking prices often lag, because sellers are reluctant to adjust until they see evidence of lower achieved prices. The Palm Jumeirah example illustrates this: Bayut's advertised figure for April 2026 was AED 4,471 per square foot, while Knight Frank's transaction-based figure for the third quarter was around AED 4,083.

When negotiating, buyers should anchor on recent registered transactions for comparable homes. Sellers should be aware that the asking level in a portal search may overstate what the market will currently pay.

Villa prices introduce another complication. Some reports divide the sale price by built-up area, others by plot size, and the results can differ substantially for homes on large plots. A frond villa on Palm Jumeirah or a lakeside home in Jumeirah Islands may look expensive per square foot of plot but more reasonable per square foot of living space, or the reverse.

For apartments, buyers should also look past the headline price per square foot to the annual service charge per square foot, which varies widely between buildings and can materially affect net rental income. Branded residences and towers with extensive amenities typically carry higher charges.

Finally, consider where each community sits in the supply cycle. Areas with many upcoming handovers may see more competition between sellers, while established communities with little remaining land tend to see steadier pricing over time.

Treat community averages as a starting point, not a valuation. View, floor, plot size, layout, developer and condition can move an individual home well above or below its community figure. Before committing, compare recent registered transactions for the specific building or cluster through official Dubai Land Department channels and obtain an independent valuation. Historic price growth does not guarantee future performance.