Dubai’s Most Affordable Apartments
It’s a concept widely acknowledged that you shouldn’t spend more than 35% of your monthly salary on rent. In a city like Dubai, it’s sometimes hard to stick to this figure, especially when you’re living on your own or newly arrived. That is why we did the legwork for you, to find the most affordable apartments in Dubai for your salary:
monthly salary: AED 8,000
monthly rent should be: AED 2,800
Top Pick: International City
International City is one of the most searched for areas when it comes to affordable apartments in Dubai. This diverse neighbourhood is home to people from across the world, living in colourful, low-rise apartment blocks. For under AED 2,800 a month, you can enjoy a spacious studio apartment, as well as fitness facilities, sports courts and of course, several groceries (Carrefour, Lulu, Spinneys and more). It’s also a hidden foodie’s gem, with many chains and quirky eateries dotted around the clusters. What most residents love about International City is that it’s next door to Dragon Mart, perfect for all your weird and wonderful needs, simply adding to the list of reasons why people love this incredibly affordable area.
Find studio apartments in International City from as low as AED 2,334 per month. It is one of the best communities for apartments for rent in Dubai.
monthly salary: AED 10,000
monthly rent should be: aed 3,500
Top Pick: Discovery Gardens
Peaceful community living is at the fore in Discovery Gardens. Developer Nakheel has worked to create a self-contained community that has all the mod-cons one expects from Dubai, like community gyms, pools, gardens, spas, groceries, cafes and restaurants – but without the price tag. There’s a massive new cycling and running track set to open soon too! The neighbourhood is connected to nearby Ibn Battuta Mall thanks to regular feeder buses that take residents from their home to the metro station…and the rest of Dubai.
Find studio apartments in Discovery Gardens, one of our top picks for having the most affordable apartments in Dubai from AED 3,334 per month.
monthly salary: AED 12,000
monthly rent should be: AED 4,200
Top Pick: Dubai Sports City
Not just for the fitness fanatics (although they have plenty to keep them busy here!). Sports City has affordable flats are pretty popular amongst renters looking for the most affordable apartments in Dubai. It is a veritable lifestyle destination for those who are looking for urban living with a distinctly suburban feel. Depending on your salary, this affordable community has two main supermarkets, Al Maya and a Carrefour Market, not to mention waterfront dining at the soon to be filled canal. Sports City is also favoured thanks to its location just off Hessa Street by Al Khail Road, meaning that you’re always close to what the rest of the city has to offer. Although with two well-known licensed venues (Kickers and the Els Club) and more amenities than you can shake a stick at…we’re not sure why you’d want to leave.
Find studio apartments in Sports City from AED 4,167 per month.
monthly salary: AED 14,000
monthly rent should be: AED 4,900
Top Pick: Dubai Silicon Oasis
This is a no-brainer if you’re one of the many people who work at Dubai Silicon Oasis! Apart from being so close to work (goodbye long commutes), residents here enjoy access to the popular Spinneys supermarket, with several of the towers having their own gym, pool, sauna and steam room. If you don’t work in Silicon Oasis though, rest assured you’re easily connected to the Dubai’s other business and leisure hubs, thanks to the community’s proximity to Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road, meaning that you can get to Downtown Dubai in under 20 minutes after leaving your flat.
With lots of options for affordable apartments in DSO, you can easily find a 1-bedroom apartment starting from AED 4,667 per month.
monthly salary: aed 16,000
monthly rent should be: AED 5,600
Top Pick: Barsha Heights (Tecom)
As long-time residents will adamantly refer to it as Tecom, Barsha Heights is the perfect neighbourhood for young couples and professionals, looking for that convenient lifestyle along with affordability. The buzzing neighbourhood is home to a host of licensed, award-winning venues, not to mention groceries, cafes, restaurants, spas and pharmacies at every corner. The majority of buildings in Barsha Heights also come with their own pool, gym and saunas. Located just off Hessa Street along Sheikh Zayed Road (and the fact that it has its own metro station), it means that you really never have an excuse to be late for anything…from work to catching up with friends at the nearby Marina.
Find one-bedroom apartments in one of our picks for the most affordable apartments in Dubai from AED 5,417 per month in none other than Barsha Heights aka TECOM.
monthly salary: AED 18,000
monthly rent should be: aed 6,300
Top Pick: Jumeirah Lakes Towers (JLT)
The picturesque clusters of JLT, winding around three glistening lakes remain a huge favourite amongst residents. They are never short of things to do, whether it’s mini golf, an escape room or just going for a jog around the massive landscaped park. Hungry residents can usually be found at one of the many (and we mean, many) restaurants and cafes that are dotted around the various clusters, with prices ranging from budget-friendly to more upscale. We’re sure it’s impossible to, but if you ever exhaust all the eateries in JLT, it’s just a short walk via one of the neighbourhood’s two metro stations to the Marina and JBR.
Find 1-bedroom apartments in jlt from AED 5,834 per month.
monthly salary: aed 20,000
monthly rent should be: aed 7,000
Top Pick: Dubai Marina
Is there any better location for the young, fun and unattached in Dubai? With views that are famous the world over, the Marina is a hot choice for expats from all backgrounds, looking to make the best of their time in Dubai. The breathtaking skyscrapers offer residents picture postcard views of their neighbourhood, are only a few minutes walk from the beach…not to mention a whole host of world-class dining, lifestyle and nightlife destinations. It’s also home to Marina Mall along with Waitrose and international retail brands.
Find 1-bedroom apartments in Dubai Marina from AED 6,667 per month.
There you have it, our list of the top areas with the most affordable flats in Dubai to rent. With rents that work with your salary (with some money left to spare!) meaning that you don’t have any excuse to ever say, ‘I’m so broke…rent is due!’
