Dubai Creek Harbour or Dubai Hills Estate?
Side by side on published prices, yields, new developments and drive times.
Pictured: Lyvia 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
Dubai Hills Estate averages AED 2,400 per sq ft against AED 2,572 in Dubai Creek Harbour, about 7% less (Property Finder, from registered transactions, 12 months to 12 November 2026).
Higher gross yield
Dubai Hills Estate shows a gross yield of 6.09% against 5.48% in Dubai Creek Harbour (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 Hills Estate average AED 216,821 a year against AED 145,119 in Dubai Creek Harbour (Property Finder, from registered tenancy contracts, 12 months to 12 November 2026).
Lower entry price
The lowest developer price we list in Dubai Hills Estate is AED 1,719,888 at Palace Residences Hillside, against AED 1,813,888 at Albero in Dubai Creek Harbour.
Closer to Downtown Dubai
Dubai Creek Harbour is about 15 minutes from Downtown Dubai by car, against about 20 minutes from Dubai Hills Estate.
Side by side
| Measure | Dubai Creek Harbour | Dubai Hills Estate |
|---|---|---|
| Emirate | Dubai | Dubai |
| Tenure | Freehold | Freehold |
| Price per sq ft | AED 2,572Property Finder, 12 months to 12 November 2026, 3,787 sales | AED 2,400Property Finder, 12 months to 12 November 2026, 2,446 sales |
| Gross rental yield | 5.48%Property Finder, 12 months to 12 November 2026, 3,787 sales | 6.09%Property Finder, 12 months to 12 November 2026, 2,446 sales |
| Average annual rent | AED 145,119Property Finder, 12 months to 12 November 2026, 6,691 contracts | AED 216,821Property Finder, 12 months to 12 November 2026, 7,295 contracts |
| Developments we list | 14 | 14 |
| Lowest developer price | AED 1,813,888Albero | AED 1,719,888Palace Residences Hillside |
| Drive to Downtown Dubai | about 15 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
Dubai Creek Harbour
- AlberoEmaar PropertiesAED 1,813,888
- AltanEmaar PropertiesAED 1,813,888
- SilvaEmaar PropertiesAED 1,824,888
- Montiva by VidaEmaar PropertiesAED 1,916,888
- ValiaEmaar PropertiesAED 1,960,000
- Lyvia by PalaceEmaar PropertiesAED 2,684,888
Dubai Hills Estate
- Palace Residences HillsideEmaar PropertiesAED 1,719,888
- GreencrestEmaar PropertiesAED 1,743,888
- RosehillEmaar PropertiesAED 1,756,888
- ParkwoodEmaar PropertiesAED 1,759,888
- Vida Residences HillsideEmaar PropertiesAED 1,827,888
- HillsedgeEmaar PropertiesAED 1,847,888
What each area is like
Dubai Creek Harbour
Emaar's waterfront master community on Dubai Creek, beside the Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary. Mostly apartments, part complete and part building, with a metro station due in 2029.
Who it suits
- Buyers who want a new Emaar apartment below Downtown prices
- Investors with a five-year horizon
- Owner-occupiers who value parks and waterfront walks
- Airport and Festival City commuters
In its favour
- Single master developer with a consistent standard across the community
- Waterfront promenade, marina and parks, with the Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary next door
- About 15 minutes by car from Downtown Dubai and Dubai International Airport
Worth weighing
- No metro until the Blue Line opens; the 2029 date is a target, and the line was about 25% built in September 2026
- Large pipeline: Emaar alone listed 18 releases here in November 2026, so resale and rental competition will stay high as towers complete
Dubai Hills Estate
A 2,700-acre master community around an 18-hole golf course, between Downtown Dubai and Dubai Marina. Apartments, townhouses and villas, with its own mall, park, schools and hospital.
Who it suits
- Families wanting schools, a park and a mall close by
- Owner-occupiers planning to stay several years
- Golfers
- Investors letting to families and professionals
In its favour
- Complete community: mall, park, golf course, schools and a hospital are open
- Central position on Al Khail Road, about 20 minutes from Downtown Dubai and the airport
- Mix of apartments, townhouses and villas, unusual for a single community
Worth weighing
- No metro station; Bayut's guide puts the nearest Red Line stations about 20 minutes away by car
- Prices and rents are above the Dubai average for comparable homes
Dubai Creek Harbour or Dubai Hills Estate: quick answers
Is Dubai Creek Harbour or Dubai Hills Estate cheaper per square foot?
Dubai Hills Estate is cheaper on the published figures: AED 2,400 per sq ft against AED 2,572 in Dubai Creek Harbour (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, Dubai Creek Harbour or Dubai Hills Estate?
Dubai Hills Estate, on the published figures: a gross yield of 6.09% against 5.48% in Dubai Creek Harbour (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 Dubai Creek Harbour and Dubai Hills Estate?
New tenancy contracts average AED 145,119 a year in Dubai Creek Harbour and AED 216,821 in Dubai Hills Estate (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, Dubai Creek Harbour or Dubai Hills Estate?
Dubai Creek Harbour, at about 15 minutes by car against about 20 minutes from Dubai Hills Estate. Drive times are approximate and vary with traffic.
Which is closer to Dubai International Airport, Dubai Creek Harbour or Dubai Hills Estate?
Dubai Creek Harbour, at about 15 minutes by car against about 20 minutes from Dubai Hills Estate. Drive times are approximate and vary with traffic.
Can foreigners buy property in Dubai Creek Harbour and Dubai Hills Estate?
Dubai Creek Harbour is a designated freehold area, open to buyers of any nationality. Dubai Hills Estate 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 Dubai Creek Harbour and Dubai Hills Estate?
In Dubai Creek Harbour: Albero from AED 1,813,888, Altan from AED 1,813,888, Silva from AED 1,824,888 and Montiva by Vida from AED 1,916,888. In Dubai Hills Estate: Palace Residences Hillside from AED 1,719,888, Greencrest from AED 1,743,888, Rosehill from AED 1,756,888 and Parkwood from AED 1,759,888.
More area comparisons
- Al Jaddaf vs Dubai Creek Harbour
- Business Bay vs Dubai Creek Harbour
- Dubai Creek Harbour vs Meydan
- Dubai Creek Harbour vs Nad Al Sheba
- Dubai Creek Harbour vs Dubai Design District
- Dubai Creek Harbour vs Dubai Islands
- Dubai Creek Harbour vs Ras Al Khor
- Dubai Creek Harbour vs Sobha Hartland II
- Downtown Dubai vs Dubai Creek Harbour
- Dubai Creek Harbour vs Dubai Maritime City
- Dubai Creek Harbour vs Jumeirah Golf Estates
- Dubai Creek Harbour vs Rashid Yachts & Marina
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
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- One salaried adviser, not on commission, from first call to handover
