Dubai Creek Harbour or Dubai Marina?
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 Creek Harbour averages AED 2,572 per sq ft against AED 2,632 in Dubai Marina, about 2% less (Property Finder, from registered transactions, 12 months to 12 November 2026).
Higher gross yield
Dubai Marina shows a gross yield of 5.88% 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 Creek Harbour average AED 145,119 a year against AED 128,305 in Dubai Marina (Property Finder, from registered tenancy contracts, 12 months to 12 November 2026).
Lower entry price
The lowest developer price we list in Dubai Creek Harbour is AED 1,813,888 at Albero, against AED 4,467,888 at Marina Shores in Dubai Marina.
Side by side
| Measure | Dubai Creek Harbour | Dubai Marina |
|---|---|---|
| Emirate | Dubai | Dubai |
| Tenure | Freehold | Freehold |
| Price per sq ft | AED 2,572Property Finder, 12 months to 12 November 2026, 3,787 sales | AED 2,632Property Finder, 12 months to 12 November 2026, 2,150 sales |
| Gross rental yield | 5.48%Property Finder, 12 months to 12 November 2026, 3,787 sales | 5.88%Property Finder, 12 months to 12 November 2026, 2,150 sales |
| Average annual rent | AED 145,119Property Finder, 12 months to 12 November 2026, 6,691 contracts | AED 128,305Property Finder, 12 months to 12 November 2026, 15,781 contracts |
| Developments we list | 14 | 3 |
| Lowest developer price | AED 1,813,888Albero | AED 4,467,888Marina Shores |
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 Marina
- Marina ShoresEmaar PropertiesAED 4,467,888
- Marina CoveEmaar PropertiesAED 4,575,888
- Six Senses Residences Dubai MarinaSelect GroupAED 5,760,000
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 Marina
Dubai's established high-rise waterfront district, built by Emaar around a three-kilometre canal. Mature, well connected by metro and tram, with only a handful of new towers left to come.
Who it suits
- Buy-to-let investors
- Young professionals
- Buyers who want metro and tram access
- Second-home owners wanting a lively, walkable base
In its favour
- Fully built waterfront district with a promenade, mall, restaurants and beach access nearby
- Red Line metro station and Dubai Tram within the district
- Established rental market: the district has been occupied since the mid-2000s
Worth weighing
- Older stock varies in quality. A fire in the 67-storey Marina Pinnacle in June 2025 displaced thousands of residents; check a tower's cladding, maintenance history and owners' association finances before buying a resale.
- New launches are priced well above neighbouring completed apartments, which caps resale upside until the gap closes.
Dubai Creek Harbour or Dubai Marina: quick answers
Is Dubai Creek Harbour or Dubai Marina cheaper per square foot?
Dubai Creek Harbour is cheaper on the published figures: AED 2,572 per sq ft against AED 2,632 in Dubai Marina (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 Marina?
Dubai Marina, on the published figures: a gross yield of 5.88% 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 Marina?
New tenancy contracts average AED 145,119 a year in Dubai Creek Harbour and AED 128,305 in Dubai Marina (Property Finder, from registered tenancy contracts, 12 months to 12 November 2026). Both averages mix small and large homes.
Can foreigners buy property in Dubai Creek Harbour and Dubai Marina?
Dubai Creek Harbour is a designated freehold area, open to buyers of any nationality. Dubai Marina 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 Marina?
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 Marina: Marina Shores from AED 4,467,888, Marina Cove from AED 4,575,888 and Six Senses Residences Dubai Marina from AED 5,760,000.
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 Hills Estate
- Dubai Creek Harbour vs Dubai Maritime City
- Dubai Creek Harbour 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
