Dubai Marina or Meydan?
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
Meydan averages AED 2,050 per sq ft against AED 2,632 in Dubai Marina, about 22% less (Property Finder, from registered transactions, 12 months to 12 November 2026).
Higher gross yield
Meydan shows a gross yield of 7.04% against 5.88% in Dubai Marina (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 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 Meydan is AED 1,219,000 at Azizi Riviera, against AED 4,467,888 at Marina Shores in Dubai Marina.
Side by side
| Measure | Dubai Marina | Meydan |
|---|---|---|
| Emirate | Dubai | Dubai |
| Tenure | Freehold | Freehold |
| Price per sq ft | AED 2,632Property Finder, 12 months to 12 November 2026, 2,150 sales | AED 2,050Property Finder, 12 months to 12 November 2026, 1,818 sales |
| Gross rental yield | 5.88%Property Finder, 12 months to 12 November 2026, 2,150 sales | 7.04%Property Finder, 12 months to 12 November 2026, 1,818 sales |
| Average annual rent | AED 128,305Property Finder, 12 months to 12 November 2026, 15,781 contracts | AED 73,787Property Finder, 12 months to 12 November 2026, 9,025 contracts |
| Developments we list | 3 | 6 |
| Lowest developer price | AED 4,467,888Marina Shores | AED 1,219,000Azizi Riviera |
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
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
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.
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
Dubai Marina or Meydan: quick answers
Is Dubai Marina or Meydan cheaper per square foot?
Meydan is cheaper on the published figures: AED 2,050 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 Marina or Meydan?
Meydan, on the published figures: a gross yield of 7.04% against 5.88% in Dubai Marina (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 Meydan?
New tenancy contracts average AED 128,305 a year in Dubai Marina 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.
Can foreigners buy property in Dubai Marina and Meydan?
Dubai Marina 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 Dubai Marina and Meydan?
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 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
- 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 Dubai Maritime City
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
