Downtown Dubai Market Report: September 2026

Residential sales transactions in Downtown Dubai totalled 166 in September 2026, worth AED 697 million. Sales rose 2.5% month-on-month. Off-plan sales accounted for 21% of the total and owner resales 75%.

The median apartment price in Downtown Dubai was AED 2,842 per sq ft in September 2026, across 166 sales; it rose 4.9% month-on-month, and was 71% above the Dubai median.

The monthly median apartment price in Downtown Dubai declined 7.7% between January 2026 and September 2026.

In Downtown Dubai in September 2026, median prices were AED 3.8 million for a 2-bedroom apartment (72 sales); AED 2.4 million for a 1-bedroom apartment (53 sales).

The median rental rate on new apartment lease registrations (Ejari) in Downtown Dubai was AED 150 per sq ft a year in September 2026, across 2,566 registrations. New villa and townhouse lease registrations had a median rental rate of AED 785,000 a year, across 4 registrations. 2,571 new leases and 949 renewals were registered with Ejari.

The gross rental yield on ready apartments in Downtown Dubai was 5.8% in September 2026, comparing median new rents with median ready sale prices per sq ft.

The UAE dirham is pegged to the US dollar at AED 3.6725. At that rate, in Downtown Dubai in September 2026, the median apartment price of AED 2,842 per sq ft is approximately $774 per sq ft; the median new apartment rental rate of AED 150 per sq ft a year is approximately $41.

9 prime sales (AED 10 million and above) were recorded in Downtown Dubai in September 2026, worth AED 159 million and accounting for 5.4% of sales. Villas and townhouses accounted for 0 of them and off-plan sales for 5.

The median apartment price in Downtown Dubai was 71% above the Dubai median in September 2026, at AED 2,842 per sq ft compared with AED 1,662.

Inaura Hotels & Residences by Arada recorded the most sales of any building in Downtown Dubai in September 2026, with 11 sales worth AED 85.5 million.

Arada recorded the most off-plan sales in Downtown Dubai in September 2026, with 11 sales worth AED 85.5 million, accounting for 31% of off-plan sales. It was followed by Emaar (10), Dar Global (4).

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.