Dubai Islands Market Report: October 2026

Residential sales transactions in Dubai Islands totalled 203 in October 2026, worth AED 829 million. Sales rose 35.3% month-on-month. Off-plan sales accounted for 78% of the total and owner resales 5%.

The median apartment price in Dubai Islands was AED 2,559 per sq ft in October 2026, across 170 sales; it declined 4.7% month-on-month, and was 54% above the Dubai median. The median villa and townhouse price was AED 9.5 million, across 33 sales; it rose 43.5% month-on-month.

The monthly median apartment price in Dubai Islands declined 5.7% between January 2026 and October 2026.

In Dubai Islands in October 2026, median prices were AED 2.2 million for a 1-bedroom apartment (80 sales); AED 3.2 million for a 2-bedroom apartment (61 sales).

The median rental rate on new apartment lease registrations (Ejari) in Dubai Islands was AED 85 per sq ft a year in October 2026, across 7 registrations. 7 new leases and 0 renewals were registered with Ejari.

The gross rental yield on ready apartments in Dubai Islands was 3.8% in October 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 Dubai Islands in October 2026, the median apartment price of AED 2,559 per sq ft is approximately $697 per sq ft; the median villa and townhouse price of AED 9.5 million is approximately $2.58 million; the median new apartment rental rate of AED 85 per sq ft a year is approximately $23.

14 prime sales (AED 10 million and above) were recorded in Dubai Islands in October 2026, worth AED 155 million and accounting for 6.9% of sales. Villas and townhouses accounted for 14 of them and off-plan sales for 0.

The median apartment price in Dubai Islands was 54% above the Dubai median in October 2026, at AED 2,559 per sq ft compared with AED 1,661.

Bay Estate by Dubai Islands recorded the most sales of any building in Dubai Islands in October 2026, with 29 sales worth AED 266 million.

Crestarc recorded the most off-plan sales in Dubai Islands in October 2026, with 25 sales worth AED 101 million, accounting for 16% of off-plan sales. It was followed by Imtiaz (22), Ellington (16).

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.