Dubai Marina or Palm Jumeirah?
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 3,966 in Palm Jumeirah, about 34% less (Property Finder, from registered transactions, 12 months to 12 November 2026).
Higher gross yield
Palm Jumeirah shows a gross yield of 6.08% 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 Palm Jumeirah average AED 388,076 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 Marina is AED 4,467,888 at Marina Shores, against AED 5,500,000 at Passo by Beyond in Palm Jumeirah.
Side by side
| Measure | Dubai Marina | Palm Jumeirah |
|---|---|---|
| Emirate | Dubai | Dubai |
| Tenure | Freehold | Freehold |
| Price per sq ft | AED 2,632Property Finder, 12 months to 12 November 2026, 2,150 sales | AED 3,966Property Finder, 12 months to 12 November 2026, 1,116 sales |
| Gross rental yield | 5.88%Property Finder, 12 months to 12 November 2026, 2,150 sales | 6.08%Property Finder, 12 months to 12 November 2026, 1,116 sales |
| Average annual rent | AED 128,305Property Finder, 12 months to 12 November 2026, 15,781 contracts | AED 388,076Property Finder, 12 months to 12 November 2026, 5,194 contracts |
| Service charge per sq ft a year | AED 15.03Marina Gate 1Engel & Völkers Dubai, as published 7 September 2026 | AED 14.77Golden Mile 1Engel & Völkers Dubai, as published 7 September 2026 |
| Developments we list | 3 | 2 |
| Lowest developer price | AED 4,467,888Marina Shores | AED 5,500,000Passo by Beyond |
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
Palm Jumeirah
- Passo by BeyondBeyond DevelopmentsAED 5,500,000
- Ocean HouseEllington PropertiesAED 23,000,000
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.
Palm Jumeirah
Nakheel's original palm-shaped island off the Dubai Marina coast: a mature, fully occupied freehold address where new supply is scarce and priced accordingly.
Who it suits
- Second-home buyers
- End-users wanting a finished beach community
- Holiday-let investors
- Buyers of branded residences
In its favour
- Completed island: hotels, beach clubs, Nakheel Mall and the monorail are open today
- Freehold for all nationalities
- Very little undeveloped land, so new launches are infrequent
Worth weighing
- Entry prices are among the highest in Dubai: the median asking price on Property Finder was AED 8.94 million on 12 November 2026.
- One route on and off the island via the trunk; crescent addresses sit furthest from the mainland (one broker quotes 35 minutes from a crescent address to Dubai International Airport).
Dubai Marina or Palm Jumeirah: quick answers
Is Dubai Marina or Palm Jumeirah cheaper per square foot?
Dubai Marina is cheaper on the published figures: AED 2,632 per sq ft against AED 3,966 in Palm Jumeirah (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 Palm Jumeirah?
Palm Jumeirah, on the published figures: a gross yield of 6.08% 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 Palm Jumeirah?
New tenancy contracts average AED 128,305 a year in Dubai Marina and AED 388,076 in Palm Jumeirah (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 Palm Jumeirah?
Dubai Marina is a designated freehold area, open to buyers of any nationality. Palm Jumeirah 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 Palm Jumeirah?
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 Palm Jumeirah: Passo by Beyond from AED 5,500,000 and Ocean House from AED 23,000,000.
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 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
- 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
