Al Reem Island or Saadiyat Island?
Side by side on published prices, yields, new developments and drive times.
Pictured: ONE Residence by One Development
Where each one leads
Drawn only from published figures and the developments we list, each with its source.
Lower price per sq ft
Al Reem Island averages AED 1,769 per sq ft against AED 3,003 in Saadiyat Island, about 41% less (Bayut, from advertised asking prices, October 2026).
Higher gross yield
Al Reem Island shows a gross yield of 6.10% against 4.60% in Saadiyat Island (Bayut, from registered tenancy contracts, Q3 2026). Gross yield is before service charges and empty months.
Lower entry price
The lowest developer price we list in Al Reem Island is AED 1,400,000 at ONE Residence, against AED 2,950,000 at Sei Saadiyat in Saadiyat Island.
Closer to Zayed International Airport
Saadiyat Island is about 20 minutes from Zayed International Airport by car, against about 25 minutes from Al Reem Island.
Side by side
| Measure | Al Reem Island | Saadiyat Island |
|---|---|---|
| Emirate | Abu Dhabi | Abu Dhabi |
| Tenure | Freehold | Freehold |
| Asking price per sq ft | AED 1,769Bayut, October 2026 | AED 3,003Bayut, October 2026 |
| Gross rental yield | 6.10%Bayut, Q3 2026 | 4.60%Bayut, Q3 2026 |
| Developments we list | 1 | 7 |
| Lowest developer price | AED 1,400,000ONE Residence | AED 2,950,000Sei Saadiyat |
| Drive to Zayed International Airport | about 25 minutes | about 20 minutes |
Each figure is shown as its publisher states it, with the period it covers. A row appears only where both areas have a figure. Read 12 November 2026.
New developments in each
Saadiyat Island
- Sei SaadiyatAldarAED 2,950,000
- Mandarin Oriental Residences, Saadiyat Cultural DistrictAldarAED 7,285,952
- The Row SaadiyatAldarAED 7,648,800
- Mamsha GardenAldarAED 8,117,568
- TalayAldarAED 13,500,000
- Baccarat Residences SaadiyatAldarAED 16,000,000
What each area is like
Al Reem Island
Abu Dhabi's high-rise apartment island, 600 metres from the city and now part of the ADGM financial free zone. Suits professionals and investors who want city access at lower prices than Saadiyat.
Who it suits
- Professionals working in ADGM or downtown Abu Dhabi
- Investors looking for apartments with an established rental market
- Buyers who want city living at lower entry prices than Saadiyat
- Families using the island's British and international schools
In its favour
- Designated investment zone: freehold ownership is open to foreign nationals
- Within ADGM jurisdiction since April 2023, with ADGM handling property registration since January 2025
- Reem Mall (opened May 2024), Reem Central Park and three international schools on the island
Worth weighing
- Supply is the main risk. Dozens of towers are selling off plan with handovers between 2027 and 2031, on top of the largest existing stock in any investment zone
- Quality varies sharply between developers and between older and newer towers. Compare service charges and build standards building by building
Saadiyat Island
Abu Dhabi's most expensive residential address: a natural island of beaches, museums and schools just off the city. Suits buyers paying a premium for culture, coastline and scarcity.
Who it suits
- Buyers who want beach and museums within walking distance
- Families using Cranleigh, NYU Abu Dhabi and other island schools
- Second-home owners with larger budgets
- Long-term holders who value scarcity over yield
In its favour
- Designated investment zone: freehold ownership is open to foreign nationals
- Louvre Abu Dhabi, Zayed National Museum, Natural History Museum and teamLab Phenomena are all open
- AED 13.3 billion of residential sales in H1 2026 (ADREC)
Worth weighing
- Premium pricing: entry prices are several times those on Al Reem Island or Yas Island, which compresses rental yields
- Marsa Al Saadiyat is planned for more than 58,000 residents. It is a multi-year construction programme and a large future supply of homes
Al Reem Island or Saadiyat Island: quick answers
Is Al Reem Island or Saadiyat Island cheaper per square foot?
Al Reem Island is cheaper on the published figures: AED 1,769 per sq ft against AED 3,003 in Saadiyat Island (Bayut, from advertised asking prices, October 2026). Averages move with the mix of homes sold, so compare like with like before relying on the gap.
Which has the higher rental yield, Al Reem Island or Saadiyat Island?
Al Reem Island, on the published figures: a gross yield of 6.10% against 4.60% in Saadiyat Island (Bayut, from registered tenancy contracts, Q3 2026). Gross yield is before service charges, empty months and fees, so the net return is lower.
Which is closer to Zayed International Airport, Al Reem Island or Saadiyat Island?
Saadiyat Island, at about 20 minutes by car against about 25 minutes from Al Reem Island. Drive times are approximate and vary with traffic.
Can foreigners buy property in Al Reem Island and Saadiyat Island?
Al Reem Island is a designated freehold area, open to buyers of any nationality. Saadiyat Island is a designated freehold area, open to buyers of any nationality. Sales in Abu Dhabi are registered with the ADREC.
Which new developments can I buy in Al Reem Island and Saadiyat Island?
In Al Reem Island: ONE Residence from AED 1,400,000. In Saadiyat Island: Sei Saadiyat from AED 2,950,000, Mandarin Oriental Residences, Saadiyat Cultural District from AED 7,285,952, The Row Saadiyat from AED 7,648,800 and Mamsha Garden from AED 8,117,568.
More area comparisons
- Al Reem Island vs Fahid Island
- Al Reem Island vs Hudayriyat Island
- Al Reem Island vs Sobha City
- Al Reem Island vs Yas Island
- Al Reem Island vs Masdar City
- Saadiyat Island vs Yas Island
- Fahid Island vs Saadiyat Island
- Hudayriyat Island vs Saadiyat Island
- Ramhan Island vs Saadiyat Island
- Saadiyat Island vs Sobha City
Not sure which area fits?
Tell us your budget, your timing and whether you will live there or let it, and we will set the two areas against each other for you.
- Current price list and availability, direct from the developer
- No fee to you on off-plan purchases: the developer pays us
- One salaried adviser, not on commission, from first call to handover
