Popular areas to rent in Abu Dhabi based on your salary

• AED 8k to AED 12k
• AED 12k to AED 18k
• AED 18k to AED 25k
• Above AED 25k
• FAQs

Abu Dhabi’s diverse housing market and family-friendly lifestyle make it a top choice for residents from around the world. Whether you’re looking for a compact studio or a spacious villa, the city offers options to suit every budget. With incentives like UAE long-term visas attracting more expatriates, understanding rental costs is essential before making the move. Our guide to renting in Abu Dhabi based on your salary will help you find the best home within your budget.

Best rental areas in Abu Dhabi based on your salary

Looking for apartments for rent in Abu Dhabi? The rental prices in the capital tend to be lower than in Dubai, and the overall lower cost of living in Abu Dhabi vs Dubai adds further charm to the prospect of living there.

Most tenants in Abu Dhabi allocate around 30% to 40% of their income toward housing. Based on this, a minimum monthly salary of AED 8K to AED 12K is typically required to afford a rental property in Abu Dhabi.

Beyond monthly rent, initial expenses must also be considered. These include security deposits, tenancy contract fees and utility setup costs. For instance, residents must register with the Abu Dhabi Distribution Company (ADDC) to activate water and electricity services.

A security deposit—usually 5% of the total rent—is required when securing a property. This amount is refundable upon contract completion, provided there are no damages or outstanding payments.

Once the tenancy contract is registered, the ADDC activates utility accounts through Tawtheeq, Abu Dhabi’s official tenancy registration system, similar to Dubai’s Ejari.

Rent is typically paid via post-dated cheques. While some landlords require full annual payment upfront, others may accept two to four cheques, allowing tenants to split payments across the year.

Top areas to rent in Abu Dhabi for salaries between AED 8k to AED 12k

Those who earn within this salary bracket can find options in terms of affordable rental areas in Abu Dhabi. So, these would generally be apartments with yearly rents between AED 28k to AED 57k. The most popular areas to rent flats in Abu Dhabi within this range are Al Reem Island, Al Khalidiyah, Hamdan Street and Mussafah. In the mentioned salary range, you can find:

• A studio in the apartments for rent in Al Reem between AED 49k to AED 56k.
• A studio and 1-bed apartment in Al Muroor between AED 26k to AED 38k.
• Potential tenants can also opt for the studio flats for rent in Hamdan Street, with rents starting fromAED 28k, whereas starting AED 40k you can rent a 1-bed flat in the area.
• Studios for rent in Al Khalidiyah are available for an affordable starting price of AED 27k per annum. You can also find a 1-bed option for a starting price of AED 33k.
• A 1-bed and 2-bed rental flat in Mussafah between AED 50k to AED 55k.

Popular areas to rent in Abu Dhabi for salaries between AED 12k to AED 18k

Once you have advanced in your career, you can afford to be more indulgent in your living preferences and look at housing options in the rental range of AED 58k to AED 86k. Depending on your requirements and preferences, you can opt for a luxurious studio, roomy 1-bed apartment or a spacious 2 or 3-bedroom villa. 

For apartments, you can find plenty of options within this range in Al Reem Island, Al Khalidiyah and Hamdan Street.

• You can rent 2-bed and 3-bed flats in Hamdan Street within the 58k to 86k budget.
• You can find studios and 1-bed apartments for rent in Al Reem Island between AED 49k to AED 86k. The 2-bed apartments for rent in Al Reem Island have a starting price of AED 78k.
• The 2-bed apartments in Al Khalidiyah are available for rent in the range of AED 50k to AED 86k.
• Tenants can also explore 1-bed flats in Al Raha Beach, starting from AED 61k.

For families looking for larger homes, the rental villas in Mohammed Bin Zayed City (MBZ), Hydra Village and Al Reef are great options.

• The 2-bedroom villas for rent in Mohammed Bin Zayed City start at AED 46k per year.
• Tenants can also consider the 2-bed and 3-bed villas for rent in Hydra Village, within that budget.
• The starting price for 2-bedroom villas for rent in Al Reef is AED 78k.

Best places to rent in Abu Dhabi for salaries between AED 18k to AED 25k

If you have a monthly salary between AED 18k to AED 25k, you can choose from a wide pool of upscale neighbourhoods. You will be able to find some fantastic rental properties in Abu Dhabi, which have yearly rents between AED 65k to AED 120k. 

If you are looking for a cosy studio, you can look in Al Reem Island, Al Khalidiyah and the Corniche Area.

• The studios for rent in Corniche Area are available for a starting price of AED 67k. A 65k to 120k budget can also get you a 1-bed and 2-bed flat for rent in Corniche Area.
• You can also consider up to 2-bed apartments for rent in Al Raha Beach.
• Studios and 1-bedroom apartment rentals on Corniche Road are good options as well.
• Studios and 1-bed apartments for rent in Yas Island are available with respective starting prices at AED 60k and AED 70k.
• The same bed categories are available in Saadiyat Island between AED 40k to AED 75k.

Abu Dhabi’s villas for rent are also an excellent option for people in this income bracket. The top three areas where you can find houses within your salary bracket are Khalifa City, Al Shamkha, Madinat Al Riyadh and Shakhbout City.

• The 3-bedroom villas for rent in Khalifa City start at AED 95k, whereas the 4-bed villa rentals start at AED 100k.
• The 3 and 4-bedroom villas in Madinat Al Riyadh are priced between AED 65k and AED 120k.
• Al Shamkha offers 3, 4 and 5-bedroom villa rentals within the AED 65k to AED 120k budget.
• You can also consider the 4, 5 and 6-bed houses for rent in in Shakhbout City.

Top places to rent in Abu Dhabi for salaries between AED 25k and above

With an income bracket like this, you can have your pick of areas across the capital city. Now, living in the city’s most luxurious apartment or villa communities becomes a reality. And by this, we are talking about accommodations with yearly rents that may be above AED 120k. 

The popular areas for those who earn more than AED 25k per month are the apartments in Al Reem Island, Saadiyat Island, Corniche Area and Yas Island.

• Single professionals can choose to live in upscale studios and 1-bedroom apartments with luxury finishing and stunning views in Saadiyat Island, Yas Island and The Marina.
• Meanwhile, couples and families can even opt for larger 2 and 3-bedroom apartments in these vibrant communities, with a variety of options available.

Families can also consider our recommendations for popular villa communities. 

• Villas for rent in Al Raha Gardens are available for a starting price of AED 145k per annum.
• Saadiyat Island offers rental villas in 3 to 7-bed configurations, starting from AED 350k.
• You can get 2 to 6-bed villas for rent in Yas Island within the range of AED 138k to AED 2.3M per annum.
• The 5-bedroom villas for rent in The Marina are rented out starting from AED 500k.

FAQs

How much will it cost me to live in Abu Dhabi?

Before you commit to any property, consider the cost of living in Abu Dhabi to make sure your expenses are within your budget.

Where can singles find apartments in the emirate?

Single professionals looking for budget-friendly accommodations can find suitable options in the popular areas to rent studios in Abu Dhabi.

Where can I find an apartment for couples in Abu Dhabi?

While the more spacious units are slightly pricier, the additional space and high quality finishings are worth the upgrade. You can also find great deals in the affordable areas to rent 1-BHK flats in Abu Dhabi.

This concludes our review of places to rent in Abu Dhabi based on your salary.

On the other hand, families may prefer bigger flats with multiple rooms. In this case, these areas with reasonably priced 2-bed apartments in Abu Dhabi may be your best options.