Dubai property tools

Buy vs Rent Calculator

The honest comparison for Dubai property — not just EMI vs rent, but lifetime wealth. We include the 4% DLD transfer fee, 2% agent commission, ongoing service charges, plus what your down payment would have earned if you'd invested it instead. Year-by-year math; sensible Downtown defaults; everything in AED.

Compare scenarios

Property price (AED)Equivalent monthly rent (AED)

What renting an equivalent property would cost.

Down payment25%Mortgage rate4.99%Mortgage tenure25 yearsHolding period7 years

How long before you sell or move.

Annual property appreciation4.0%Annual rent growth4.0%Investment return (opportunity cost)6.0%

If you didn't buy, what would your down payment cash earn?

Service chargeAED 16/sqft/yrProperty size1,000 sqft

Verdict over 7 years

Buying wins by AED 509,666

Buy net cost: AED 232,578 • Rent net cost: AED 742,244

Buy scenario

Upfront cost (down payment + fees)−AED 800,250
EMI × 84 months−AED 919,812
Service charges × 7y−AED 112,000
Sale price (Y7)+AED 3,289,829
Less: exit fees (4%)−AED 131,593
Less: remaining mortgage−AED 1,558,752
Net buy costAED 232,578

Rent scenario

Total rent (with 4%/yr growth)−AED 1,137,354
Setup costs (5% commission + Ejari)−AED 7,920
Cash invested instead of down paymentAED 800,250
Investment growth at 6%/yr+AED 403,030
Net rent costAED 742,244