Best areas to buy off-plan in Dubai, 2026
Ranked on 77,981 off-plan sales recorded by the Dubai Land Department (January to October 2026). Dubai South is the most-bought area (13,245 sales). The lowest entry price is in City of Arabia (median AED 615K), the best value per square foot in International City (AED 1,251), and the most expensive in Palm Jumeirah (AED 5,823 per sq ft). Each list is a plain sort of the register figures; nobody can pay to be on it.
Most-bought areas
Where the most off-plan units sold. More sales means more buyers and more resale comparables when you come to sell.
| # | Area | Sales | Median price | Median per sq ft |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dubai South | 13,245 | AED 935K | AED 1,682 |
| 2 | Dubai Land Residence Complex | 5,413 | AED 960K | AED 1,484 |
| 3 | Jumeirah Village Circle | 4,779 | AED 1.07M | AED 1,581 |
| 4 | Majan | 4,316 | AED 836K | AED 1,557 |
| 5 | Dubai Islands | 3,629 | AED 2.86M | AED 2,844 |
| 6 | Al Yelayiss 1 | 3,535 | AED 2.90M | AED 1,822 |
| 7 | Dubai Investment Park | 2,989 | AED 1.22M | AED 1,257 |
| 8 | Business Bay | 2,610 | AED 2.97M | AED 2,904 |
| 9 | City of Arabia | 2,607 | AED 615K | AED 1,700 |
| 10 | Jebel Ali Village | 2,410 | AED 1.73M | AED 1,672 |
Lowest entry price
Areas with the lowest median sale price. Best for first-time buyers and small budgets.
| # | Area | Sales | Median price | Median per sq ft |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | City of Arabia | 2,607 | AED 615K | AED 1,700 |
| 2 | Dubai Studio City | 893 | AED 667K | AED 1,603 |
| 3 | Living Legends | 325 | AED 794K | AED 1,403 |
| 4 | International City | 1,566 | AED 830K | AED 1,251 |
| 5 | Majan | 4,316 | AED 836K | AED 1,557 |
| 6 | Downtown Jebel Ali | 1,737 | AED 893K | AED 1,678 |
| 7 | Dubai South | 13,245 | AED 935K | AED 1,682 |
| 8 | Dubai Land Residence Complex | 5,413 | AED 960K | AED 1,484 |
| 9 | Arjan | 1,750 | AED 1.04M | AED 1,713 |
| 10 | Dubai Science Park | 1,015 | AED 1.05M | AED 1,815 |
Only areas with at least 300 recorded sales, so one cheap building cannot skew the median.
Best value per square foot
The most space for your money: the lowest median price per square foot.
| # | Area | Sales | Median price | Median per sq ft |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | International City | 1,566 | AED 830K | AED 1,251 |
| 2 | Dubai Investment Park | 2,989 | AED 1.22M | AED 1,257 |
| 3 | Liwan | 311 | AED 1.06M | AED 1,346 |
| 4 | Living Legends | 325 | AED 794K | AED 1,403 |
| 5 | Dubai Production City | 1,848 | AED 1.06M | AED 1,408 |
| 6 | Dubai Sports City | 1,326 | AED 1.11M | AED 1,440 |
| 7 | Dubai Land Residence Complex | 5,413 | AED 960K | AED 1,484 |
| 8 | Al Furjan | 957 | AED 1.22M | AED 1,506 |
| 9 | Majan | 4,316 | AED 836K | AED 1,557 |
| 10 | Jumeirah Village Circle | 4,779 | AED 1.07M | AED 1,581 |
A low price per sq ft often means an outer or newer district. Check the commute and the handover date.
Best areas for villas and townhouses
Where the most off-plan villas and townhouses sold. Suits families and end users who want space.
| # | Area | Villa sales | Median price (all units) | Median per sq ft |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Al Yelayiss 1 | 2,260 | AED 2.90M | AED 1,822 |
| 2 | Dubai Investment Park | 1,075 | AED 1.22M | AED 1,257 |
| 3 | Dubai South | 350 | AED 935K | AED 1,682 |
| 4 | Dubai Land Residence Complex | 321 | AED 960K | AED 1,484 |
| 5 | The Valley | 271 | AED 1.85M | AED 1,850 |
| 6 | Majan | 166 | AED 836K | AED 1,557 |
| 7 | Nad Al Sheba | 164 | AED 5.50M | AED 2,244 |
Villa sales counted separately; the median columns cover every unit type sold in the area.
Questions
Which is the most popular area for off-plan in Dubai?
Dubai South recorded the most off-plan sales in January to October 2026, 13,245 according to the Dubai Land Department, at a median of AED 935K.
Where is the cheapest off-plan property in Dubai?
Among areas with at least 300 recorded sales, City of Arabia has the lowest median sale price at AED 615K, and International City the lowest price per square foot at AED 1,251 (January to October 2026).
Which Dubai areas are best for families buying villas off-plan?
By recorded villa and townhouse sales in January to October 2026, the leading areas are Al Yelayiss 1, Dubai Investment Park, Dubai South, Dubai Land Residence Complex.
More rankings
Source: Dubai Land Department open data, residential off-plan sales, January to October 2026. Medians are of all recorded sales in each area. No paid placements: a developer or agent cannot buy a position. Figures can be incomplete or out of date; verify with the developer, the DLD or RERA before acting.