Data from real estate platform 'Bayut' revealed slight fluctuations in rental prices across 15 key areas in Dubai during 2024 and 2025. In the studio category, Jumeirah Beach Residences (JBR) led with an average annual rent of 90,000 AED, while Deira recorded the lowest at 35,000 AED. For one-bedroom apartments, JBR also topped the list with 142,000 AED annually, and for two-bedroom units, it maintained its lead at 201,000 AED. Real estate analysts state that these movements reflect a natural market rebalancing phase after strong growth waves in previous years. There is a noticeable shift towards larger family-sized units, starting from two-bedroom apartments, which recorded the highest rental growth rates. This trend is attributed to the influx of major corporations and their relocating employees. The price disparity indicates a clear shift in tenant demand towards integrated communities offering a higher quality of life and better value for rent, especially with the entry of over 200,000 new units into the market, easing pressure on rents. Experts predict that 2026 is poised for further increases, particularly in the residential apartment sector, as the demand continues to shift between renting and buying. As Waleed Al Zarouni, Chairman of W Capital brokerage, noted, the rental market movements reflect a natural rebalancing phase after strong growth waves. He highlighted that the price differences show a clear shift in demand towards integrated communities with a higher quality of life. Mohamed Turki, Real Estate Manager at Al Waleed Real Estate Group, confirmed that Dubai's rental market in 2025 saw relative stability with a clear price variation across housing categories. He linked the increased interest in larger family units, starting from two-bedroom apartments, to the influx of major companies and their settling employees. Raad Ramadan, Director of Awad Gargash Real Estate, stated that the rental market is undergoing a phase of demand redistribution among areas and housing categories. He noted that mid-range residential apartments, specifically one and two-bedroom units, continue to lead demand as they are most suitable for a broad segment of employees. He emphasized that a tenant's decision is no longer solely price-dependent but primarily based on quality of life factors such as proximity to workplaces, markets, shopping malls, metro stations, and modern building amenities.
