Dubai International Academic City Market Report: October 2026
In October 2026, the median villa and townhouse price in Dubai International Academic City was AED 2.6 million, across 625 residential sales transactions worth AED 2.12 billion, according to Richmond Properties' analysis of Dubai Land Department data.
Key statistics
October 2026, compared with September 2026
- 625
- Residential sales transactions +908.1%
- AED2.12 billion
- Sales value +595.6%
- AED2.6 million
- Villas and townhouses, median price −43.1%
- 16%
- Off-plan share of sales 101 off-plan sales
- 25
- New lease registrations (Ejari) −61.5%
Villas and townhouses, median price
Apartment rent, median per sq ft a year
Lighter bars: fewer than 30 leases
Villa and townhouse sales
Off-planReadyTotal sales
Apartment lease registrations
NewRenewedTotal lease registrations
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FAQ
How many residential sales transactions were recorded in Academic City in October 2026?
Residential sales transactions in Academic City totalled 625 in October 2026, worth AED 2.12 billion. Sales rose 908.1% month-on-month. Off-plan sales accounted for 16% of the total and owner resales 0%.
How much does a villa cost in Academic City?
The median villa and townhouse price was AED 2.6 million, across 625 sales; it declined 43.1% month-on-month.
How much does a home in Academic City cost by number of bedrooms?
In Academic City in October 2026, median prices were AED 3.6 million for a 3-bedroom villa or townhouse (37 sales); AED 4.5 million for a 4-bedroom villa or townhouse (37 sales).
| Bedrooms | Sales | Median price | New lease registrations | Median rent, a year | Gross yield |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3-bed | 37 | AED 3.6 million | 0 | – | – |
| 4-bed | 37 | AED 4.5 million | 0 | – | – |
| ⚠5-bed | 27 | AED 6.1 million | 0 | – | – |
What is the average rent in Academic City?
The median rental rate on new apartment lease registrations (Ejari) in Academic City was AED 116 per sq ft a year in October 2026, across 21 registrations. 25 new leases and 39 renewals were registered with Ejari.
How much does property in Academic City cost in US dollars?
The UAE dirham is pegged to the US dollar at AED 3.6725. At that rate, in Academic City in October 2026, the median villa and townhouse price of AED 2.6 million is approximately $699,477; the median new apartment rental rate of AED 116 per sq ft a year is approximately $32.
How many prime sales were recorded in Academic City?
2 prime sales (AED 10 million and above) were recorded in Academic City in October 2026, worth AED 30.0 million and accounting for 0.3% of sales. Villas and townhouses accounted for 2 of them and off-plan sales for 0.
How does Academic City compare with Dubai?
The median villa and townhouse price in Academic City was 28% below the Dubai median in October 2026, at AED 2.6 million compared with AED 3.6 million.
| Measure | Academic City | Dubai |
|---|---|---|
| Villas and townhouses, median | AED 2.6 million | AED 3.6 million |
| ⚠New apartment rent, per sq ft a year | AED 116 | AED 95 |
| Off-plan share of sales | 16% | 59% |
Which sub-communities in Academic City recorded the most sales?
Tilal Binghatti by Binghatti recorded the most sales of any sub-community in Academic City in October 2026, with 532 sales worth AED 1.68 billion.
| Sub-community | Developer | Sales | Value | Off-plan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tilal BinghattiAl Rowaiyah First | Binghatti | 532 | AED 1.68 billion | 2% |
| Greenz By DanubeAl Rowaiyah First | Danube | 93 | AED 439 million | 100% |
Which developers recorded the most off-plan sales in Academic City?
Danube recorded the most off-plan sales in Academic City in October 2026, with 93 sales worth AED 439 million, accounting for 92% of off-plan sales. It was followed by Binghatti (8).
| Developer | Off-plan sales | Value | Share of off-plan sales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Danube | 93 | AED 439 million | 92% |
| Binghatti | 8 | AED 33.9 million | 8% |
What do the figures mean?
- Median price
- The middle sale price once all sales are ranked: half of sales were above it and half below. Used instead of the average so a few very large sales don't distort the figure.
- Price per sq ft
- Sale price divided by the registered area in square feet, then the median across sales. Reported for apartments; villa records often carry the plot size, so villas are reported per home.
- Off-plan and ready
- Off-plan sales are homes sold before completion; ready sales are completed homes, including owner resales and developers' completed stock.
- Sub-community and building
- Where DLD records a home: a sub-community for villas and townhouses (for example Raya in Arabian Ranches 3), a building for apartments, or the project name for off-plan homes.
- Ejari
- Dubai's official lease registration system. Rents here are new Ejari leases registered in the period; renewals are counted separately.
- Gross rental yield
- Median new annual rent divided by the median ready sale price, before costs. Shown only between 3% and 12%; outside that range the pairing reflects data errors rather than a yield.
- DLD area and community
- The Dubai Land Department records sales and leases by official area, which can differ from the name people use. Each report names the DLD areas it covers.
- ⚠ Small sample
- A figure based on fewer than 30 sales or leases. It is shown, but can move a lot from period to period.
How should this report be cited?
Richmond Properties (2026). Dubai International Academic City Market Report: October 2026. Data: Dubai Land Department. Published 4 November 2026. https://richmondproperties.ae/insights/market-reports/academic-city/2026-10. Licensed CC BY 4.0.
In copy: “according to Richmond Properties’ analysis of Dubai Land Department data”.
Figures are Dubai Land Department open data for October 2026, compared with September 2026. Sales are counted by transaction date and cover homes only: apartments, hotel apartments, villas and townhouses (including villa plots). Offices, shops, hotel rooms, development land and labour accommodation are excluded. Rents are new Ejari leases; leases are assigned to a community through their building or sub-community where DLD files them under a different district. 2 transactions identified as recording errors are excluded. Figures and text are generated from Dubai Land Department data by Richmond Properties’ reporting system. Data as of 4 November 2026. This report is for general information and is not financial or investment advice.