Dubai Creek Harbour or Dubai Maritime City?
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 3,128 in Dubai Maritime City, about 18% less (Property Finder, from registered transactions, 12 months to 12 November 2026).
Higher gross yield
Dubai Creek Harbour shows a gross yield of 5.48% 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 Creek Harbour average AED 145,119 a year against AED 113,373 in Dubai Maritime City (Property Finder, from registered tenancy contracts, 12 months to 12 November 2026).
Lower entry price
The lowest developer price we list in Dubai Maritime City is AED 1,650,000 at Shahrukhz Residences by Danube, 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 Maritime City.
Side by side
| Measure | Dubai Creek Harbour | Dubai Maritime City |
|---|---|---|
| Emirate | Dubai | Dubai |
| Tenure | Freehold | Freehold |
| Price per sq ft | AED 2,572Property Finder, 12 months to 12 November 2026, 3,787 sales | AED 3,128Property Finder, 12 months to 12 November 2026, 2,671 sales |
| Gross rental yield | 5.48%Property Finder, 12 months to 12 November 2026, 3,787 sales | 5.23%Property Finder, 12 months to 12 November 2026, 2,671 sales |
| Average annual rent | AED 145,119Property Finder, 12 months to 12 November 2026, 6,691 contracts | AED 113,373Property Finder, 12 months to 12 November 2026, 139 contracts |
| Developments we list | 14 | 4 |
| Lowest developer price | AED 1,813,888Albero | AED 1,650,000Shahrukhz Residences by Danube |
| 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 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
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 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.
Dubai Creek Harbour or Dubai Maritime City: quick answers
Is Dubai Creek Harbour or Dubai Maritime City cheaper per square foot?
Dubai Creek Harbour is cheaper on the published figures: AED 2,572 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, Dubai Creek Harbour or Dubai Maritime City?
Dubai Creek Harbour, on the published figures: a gross yield of 5.48% 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 Dubai Creek Harbour and Dubai Maritime City?
New tenancy contracts average AED 145,119 a year in Dubai Creek Harbour 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, Dubai Creek Harbour or Dubai Maritime City?
Dubai Creek Harbour, at about 15 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, Dubai Creek Harbour or Dubai Maritime City?
Dubai Creek Harbour, 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 Dubai Creek Harbour and Dubai Maritime City?
Dubai Creek Harbour 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 Dubai Creek Harbour and Dubai Maritime City?
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 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 Dubai Creek Harbour
- Business Bay vs Dubai Creek Harbour
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- 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 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
- No fee to you on off-plan purchases: the developer pays us
- One salaried adviser, not on commission, from first call to handover
