Business Bay or Dubai Maritime City?
Side by side on published prices, yields, new developments and drive times.
Pictured: Avarra by Palace by Emaar Properties
Where each one leads
Drawn only from published figures and the developments we list, each with its source.
Lower price per sq ft
Business Bay averages AED 2,448 per sq ft against AED 3,128 in Dubai Maritime City, about 22% less (Property Finder, from registered transactions, 12 months to 12 November 2026).
Higher gross yield
Business Bay shows a gross yield of 6.85% against 5.23% in Dubai Maritime City (Property Finder, from registered transactions, 12 months to 12 November 2026). Gross yield is before service charges and empty months.
Higher average rent
New tenancy contracts in Dubai Maritime City average AED 113,373 a year against AED 105,698 in Business Bay (Property Finder, from registered tenancy contracts, 12 months to 12 November 2026).
Lower entry price
The lowest developer price we list in Business Bay is AED 1,175,000 at Bayz 101 by Danube, against AED 1,650,000 at Shahrukhz Residences by Danube in Dubai Maritime City.
Closer to Downtown Dubai
Business Bay is about 5 minutes from Downtown Dubai by car, against about 20 minutes from Dubai Maritime City.
Side by side
| Measure | Business Bay | Dubai Maritime City |
|---|---|---|
| Emirate | Dubai | Dubai |
| Tenure | Freehold | Freehold |
| Price per sq ft | AED 2,448Property Finder, 12 months to 12 November 2026, 5,741 sales | AED 3,128Property Finder, 12 months to 12 November 2026, 2,671 sales |
| Gross rental yield | 6.85%Property Finder, 12 months to 12 November 2026, 5,741 sales | 5.23%Property Finder, 12 months to 12 November 2026, 2,671 sales |
| Average annual rent | AED 105,698Property Finder, 12 months to 12 November 2026, 20,729 contracts | AED 113,373Property Finder, 12 months to 12 November 2026, 139 contracts |
| Developments we list | 15 | 4 |
| Lowest developer price | AED 1,175,000Bayz 101 by Danube | AED 1,650,000Shahrukhz Residences by Danube |
| Drive to Downtown Dubai | about 5 minutes | about 20 minutes |
| Drive to Dubai International Airport | about 15 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. Property Finder’s figures are averages across home types, so they mix studios and large homes. Read 12 November 2026.
New developments in each
Business Bay
- Bayz 101 by DanubeDanube PropertiesAED 1,175,000
- Binghatti SkyhallBinghattiAED 1,304,000
- Binghatti AquariseBinghattiAED 2,000,000
- Bayz 102 by DanubeDanube PropertiesAED 2,400,000
- Binghatti SkyriseBinghattiAED 2,544,999
- Canal Heights 2 de GRISOGONODAMAC PropertiesAED 2,828,000
Dubai Maritime City
- Shahrukhz Residences by DanubeDanube PropertiesAED 1,650,000
- Chelsea ResidencesDAMAC PropertiesAED 2,457,000
- Soulever by BeyondBeyond DevelopmentsAED 2,500,000
- Harbour Lights by de GRISOGONODAMAC PropertiesAED 6,666,000
What each area is like
Business Bay
A dense high-rise district along the Dubai Water Canal, next to Downtown Dubai. Apartments and serviced residences at every price point, from studios to canal-front penthouses.
Who it suits
- Investors wanting a liquid central rental market
- Professionals working in Downtown or DIFC
- Buyers priced out of Downtown Dubai
- Short-stay rental operators
In its favour
- About five minutes by car from Downtown Dubai and 15 minutes from Dubai International Airport (Bayut area guide)
- Red Line metro at Business Bay station
- Dubai Water Canal promenade for walking, running and waterside restaurants
Worth weighing
- New towers keep launching and completing here; S&P expected Dubai apartment prices to fall further than villa prices because of the supply pipeline (The National, 7 October 2026)
- Build quality and management vary sharply from tower to tower; compare the specific building, not the district
Dubai Maritime City
A reclaimed peninsula between Mina Rashid and Dubai Dry Docks, turning from a stalled maritime business zone into a dense cluster of waterfront apartment towers due from 2026 to 2030.
Who it suits
- Investors seeking sea-view apartments near the city centre
- Buyers comfortable with an emerging district
- Professionals working in DIFC or Downtown
In its favour
- Open-sea frontage about 15 to 20 minutes from Downtown Dubai and Dubai International Airport
- Projects from established names: DAMAC, Beyond (Omniyat group), Select Group, Danube
- Next to Mina Rashid's marina and cruise terminal
Worth weighing
- Concentrated supply: nearly every tower was launched between 2022 and 2026 and is scheduled to hand over between late 2026 and 2030. Many are one- and two-bedroom investor units competing for the same tenants.
- Property Finder's community panel showed average sale prices in Maritime City down 11.7% year on year when checked on 12 November 2026.
Business Bay or Dubai Maritime City: quick answers
Is Business Bay or Dubai Maritime City cheaper per square foot?
Business Bay is cheaper on the published figures: AED 2,448 per sq ft against AED 3,128 in Dubai Maritime City (Property Finder, from registered transactions, 12 months to 12 November 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, Business Bay or Dubai Maritime City?
Business Bay, on the published figures: a gross yield of 6.85% against 5.23% in Dubai Maritime City (Property Finder, from registered transactions, 12 months to 12 November 2026). Gross yield is before service charges, empty months and fees, so the net return is lower.
What is the average rent in Business Bay and Dubai Maritime City?
New tenancy contracts average AED 105,698 a year in Business Bay and AED 113,373 in Dubai Maritime City (Property Finder, from registered tenancy contracts, 12 months to 12 November 2026). Both averages mix small and large homes.
Which is closer to Downtown Dubai, Business Bay or Dubai Maritime City?
Business Bay, at about 5 minutes by car against about 20 minutes from Dubai Maritime City. Drive times are approximate and vary with traffic.
Which is closer to Dubai International Airport, Business Bay or Dubai Maritime City?
Business Bay, at about 15 minutes by car against about 20 minutes from Dubai Maritime City. Drive times are approximate and vary with traffic.
Can foreigners buy property in Business Bay and Dubai Maritime City?
Business Bay is a designated freehold area, open to buyers of any nationality. Dubai Maritime City is a designated freehold area, open to buyers of any nationality. Sales in Dubai are registered with the DLD.
Which new developments can I buy in Business Bay and Dubai Maritime City?
In Business Bay: Bayz 101 by Danube from AED 1,175,000, Binghatti Skyhall from AED 1,304,000, Binghatti Aquarise from AED 2,000,000 and Bayz 102 by Danube from AED 2,400,000. In Dubai Maritime City: Shahrukhz Residences by Danube from AED 1,650,000, Chelsea Residences from AED 2,457,000, Soulever by Beyond from AED 2,500,000 and Harbour Lights by de GRISOGONO from AED 6,666,000.
More area comparisons
- Al Jaddaf vs Business Bay
- Business Bay vs Downtown Dubai
- Business Bay vs Dubai Creek Harbour
- Business Bay vs Dubai Hills Estate
- Business Bay vs Meydan
- Business Bay vs Nad Al Sheba
- Business Bay vs City Walk
- Business Bay vs Dubai Design District
- Business Bay vs DIFC
- Business Bay vs Sheikh Zayed Road
- Business Bay vs Sobha Hartland II
- Business Bay vs Jumeirah Golf Estates
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
