Business Bay or Meydan?
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
Meydan averages AED 2,050 per sq ft against AED 2,448 in Business Bay, about 16% less (Property Finder, from registered transactions, 12 months to 12 November 2026).
Higher gross yield
Meydan shows a gross yield of 7.04% against 6.85% in Business Bay (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 Business Bay average AED 105,698 a year against AED 73,787 in Meydan (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 1,219,000 at Azizi Riviera in Meydan.
Closer to Downtown Dubai
Business Bay is about 5 minutes from Downtown Dubai by car, against about 16 minutes from Meydan.
Side by side
| Measure | Business Bay | Meydan |
|---|---|---|
| Emirate | Dubai | Dubai |
| Tenure | Freehold | Freehold |
| Price per sq ft | AED 2,448Property Finder, 12 months to 12 November 2026, 5,741 sales | AED 2,050Property Finder, 12 months to 12 November 2026, 1,818 sales |
| Gross rental yield | 6.85%Property Finder, 12 months to 12 November 2026, 5,741 sales | 7.04%Property Finder, 12 months to 12 November 2026, 1,818 sales |
| Average annual rent | AED 105,698Property Finder, 12 months to 12 November 2026, 20,729 contracts | AED 73,787Property Finder, 12 months to 12 November 2026, 9,025 contracts |
| Developments we list | 15 | 6 |
| Lowest developer price | AED 1,175,000Bayz 101 by Danube | AED 1,219,000Azizi Riviera |
| Drive to Downtown Dubai | about 5 minutes | about 16 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
Meydan
- Azizi RivieraAzizi DevelopmentsAED 1,219,000
- Riviera BeachfrontAzizi DevelopmentsAED 1,258,500
- Everly PlaceEllington PropertiesAED 1,940,000
- Riviera RêveAzizi DevelopmentsAED 2,357,355
- KnightsbridgeLEOS DevelopmentsAED 7,940,000
- Knightsbridge 2LEOS DevelopmentsAED 13,800,000
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
Meydan
The large development zone around Meydan Racecourse, south of Downtown Dubai. Lagoon-side apartments, villas and dozens of new towers from many developers, with little public transport.
Who it suits
- Investors buying smaller apartments below Business Bay prices
- Families looking at villas near the city centre
- Buyers who drive and want quick access to Al Khail Road
- Those comfortable with a district still under construction
In its favour
- About 16 minutes by car from Burj Khalifa and 20 from Dubai International Airport (Bayut area guide)
- Direct access to Al Khail Road and Ras Al Khor Road
- Lower apartment entry prices than Downtown Dubai or Business Bay
Worth weighing
- Very large pipeline: 73 new and off-plan projects on Property Finder in November 2026, many from smaller developers whose delivery record needs checking one by one
- Limited public transport and no metro station in the area today
Business Bay or Meydan: quick answers
Is Business Bay or Meydan cheaper per square foot?
Meydan is cheaper on the published figures: AED 2,050 per sq ft against AED 2,448 in Business Bay (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 Meydan?
Meydan, on the published figures: a gross yield of 7.04% against 6.85% in Business Bay (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 Meydan?
New tenancy contracts average AED 105,698 a year in Business Bay and AED 73,787 in Meydan (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 Meydan?
Business Bay, at about 5 minutes by car against about 16 minutes from Meydan. Drive times are approximate and vary with traffic.
Which is closer to Dubai International Airport, Business Bay or Meydan?
Business Bay, at about 15 minutes by car against about 20 minutes from Meydan. Drive times are approximate and vary with traffic.
Can foreigners buy property in Business Bay and Meydan?
Business Bay is a designated freehold area, open to buyers of any nationality. Meydan 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 Meydan?
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 Meydan: Azizi Riviera from AED 1,219,000, Riviera Beachfront from AED 1,258,500, Everly Place from AED 1,940,000 and Riviera Rêve from AED 2,357,355.
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 Dubai Maritime City
- 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
