Dubai Marina or Dubai Maritime City?
Side by side on published prices, yields, new developments and drive times.
Pictured: Marina Cove 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 Marina averages AED 2,632 per sq ft against AED 3,128 in Dubai Maritime City, about 16% 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 5.23% 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 Marina average AED 128,305 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 4,467,888 at Marina Shores in Dubai Marina.
Side by side
| Measure | Dubai Marina | Dubai Maritime City |
|---|---|---|
| Emirate | Dubai | Dubai |
| Tenure | Freehold | Freehold |
| Price per sq ft | AED 2,632Property Finder, 12 months to 12 November 2026, 2,150 sales | AED 3,128Property Finder, 12 months to 12 November 2026, 2,671 sales |
| Gross rental yield | 5.88%Property Finder, 12 months to 12 November 2026, 2,150 sales | 5.23%Property Finder, 12 months to 12 November 2026, 2,671 sales |
| Average annual rent | AED 128,305Property Finder, 12 months to 12 November 2026, 15,781 contracts | AED 113,373Property Finder, 12 months to 12 November 2026, 139 contracts |
| Developments we list | 3 | 4 |
| Lowest developer price | AED 4,467,888Marina Shores | AED 1,650,000Shahrukhz Residences by Danube |
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 Marina
- Marina ShoresEmaar PropertiesAED 4,467,888
- Marina CoveEmaar PropertiesAED 4,575,888
- Six Senses Residences Dubai MarinaSelect GroupAED 5,760,000
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
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 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 Marina or Dubai Maritime City: quick answers
Is Dubai Marina or Dubai Maritime City cheaper per square foot?
Dubai Marina is cheaper on the published figures: AED 2,632 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 Marina or Dubai Maritime City?
Dubai Marina, on the published figures: a gross yield of 5.88% 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 Marina and Dubai Maritime City?
New tenancy contracts average AED 128,305 a year in Dubai Marina 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.
Can foreigners buy property in Dubai Marina and Dubai Maritime City?
Dubai Marina 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 Marina and Dubai Maritime City?
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. 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
- Downtown Jebel Ali vs Dubai Marina
- Dubai Harbour vs Dubai Marina
- Dubai Marina vs Jumeirah Golf Estates
- Dubai Marina vs Jumeirah Lake Towers
- Dubai Marina vs Jumeirah Village Circle
- Dubai Marina vs Palm Jumeirah
- Dubai Marina vs Wasl Gate
- Business Bay vs Dubai Marina
- Downtown Dubai vs Dubai Marina
- Dubai Creek Harbour vs Dubai Marina
- Dubai Hills Estate vs Dubai Marina
- Dubai Marina vs Meydan
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
