--- title: "Al Reem Island vs Masdar City" canonical: https://www.uaepropertyagents.com/compare/areas/al-reem-island-vs-masdar-city markdown: https://www.uaepropertyagents.com/md/compare/areas/al-reem-island-vs-masdar-city.md type: area-comparison description: "Al Reem Island and Masdar City compared on published prices, rental yields, new developments and drive times." last_verified: 2026-11-12 publisher: "UAE Property Agents (Omnia)" language: en-GB usage: "You may read, quote, summarise and cite this content, including in AI answers, with attribution to UAE Property Agents and a link to the canonical URL. Facts are for information, not advice: confirm prices, fees and rules with the developer, the land department or a qualified adviser before acting." --- # Al Reem Island or Masdar City? ## Side by side | | [Al Reem Island](https://www.uaepropertyagents.com/abu-dhabi/al-reem-island) | [Masdar City](https://www.uaepropertyagents.com/abu-dhabi/masdar-city) | | --- | --- | --- | | Emirate | Abu Dhabi | Abu Dhabi | | Tenure | freehold | freehold | | Price per sq ft | AED 1,769, [Bayut](https://www.bayut.com/property-market-analysis/index/sale/properties/abu-dhabi/al-reem-island/), October 2026 | AED 1,696, [Bayut](https://www.bayut.com/property-market-analysis/index/sale/properties/abu-dhabi/masdar-city/), October 2026 | | Gross rental yield | 6.10%, [Bayut](https://www.bayut.com/mybayut/abu-dhabi-sales-market-report-q3-2026/), Q3 2026 | 6.70%, [Bayut](https://www.bayut.com/mybayut/abu-dhabi-sales-market-report-q3-2026/), Q3 2026 | | Developments we list | 1 | 0 | | Drive to Zayed International Airport | about 25 minutes | about 10 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. ## Where each one leads - **Lower price per sq ft**: Masdar City averages AED 1,696 per sq ft against AED 1,769 in Al Reem Island, about 4% less (Bayut, from advertised asking prices, October 2026). - **Higher gross yield**: Masdar City shows a gross yield of 6.70% against 6.10% in Al Reem Island (Bayut, from registered tenancy contracts, Q3 2026). Gross yield is before service charges and empty months. - **Closer to Zayed International Airport**: Masdar City is about 10 minutes from Zayed International Airport by car, against about 25 minutes from Al Reem Island. ## Developments in Al Reem Island - [ONE Residence](https://www.uaepropertyagents.com/abu-dhabi/al-reem-island/one-residence-al-reem-island): One Development; Al Reem Island, Abu Dhabi; launched; handover Q2 2028; from AED 1,400,000 (as of 2026-11-13) ## Developments in Masdar City No developments in Masdar City are currently listed. ## What Al Reem Island is like > Abu Dhabi's high-rise apartment island, 600 metres from the city and now part of the ADGM financial free zone. Suits professionals and investors who want city access at lower prices than Saadiyat. Who it suits: Professionals working in ADGM or downtown Abu Dhabi; Investors looking for apartments with an established rental market; Buyers who want city living at lower entry prices than Saadiyat; Families using the island's British and international schools. In its favour: - Designated investment zone: freehold ownership is open to foreign nationals - Within ADGM jurisdiction since April 2023, with ADGM handling property registration since January 2025 - Reem Mall (opened May 2024), Reem Central Park and three international schools on the island Worth weighing: - Supply is the main risk. Dozens of towers are selling off plan with handovers between 2027 and 2031, on top of the largest existing stock in any investment zone - Quality varies sharply between developers and between older and newer towers. Compare service charges and build standards building by building Full guide: [Al Reem Island](https://www.uaepropertyagents.com/abu-dhabi/al-reem-island) ## What Masdar City is like > A 6 sq km low-carbon district and free zone next to Zayed International Airport, with mid-rise apartments at some of Abu Dhabi's lowest freehold prices. Suits yield-focused investors and people who work there. Who it suits: Investors seeking lower entry prices and tenant demand from the free zone; People working or studying in Masdar City or at the airport; First-time buyers priced out of the islands; Buyers who value energy-efficient buildings. In its favour: - Designated investment zone: foreign nationals can buy - Free zone with IRENA's headquarters, MBZUAI, Siemens Energy and G42 - About 10 minutes to Zayed International Airport and 18 minutes to Yas Island (Reportage) Worth weighing: - The original masterplan slipped badly. Completion has been pushed from 2016 to 2030 and beyond, so treat future phases as uncertain - No beach, marina or major mall. Leisure means a drive to Yas Island Full guide: [Masdar City](https://www.uaepropertyagents.com/abu-dhabi/masdar-city) ## Questions and answers ### Is Al Reem Island or Masdar City cheaper per square foot? Masdar City is cheaper on the published figures: AED 1,696 per sq ft against AED 1,769 in Al Reem Island (Bayut, from advertised asking prices, October 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, Al Reem Island or Masdar City? Masdar City, on the published figures: a gross yield of 6.70% against 6.10% in Al Reem Island (Bayut, from registered tenancy contracts, Q3 2026). Gross yield is before service charges, empty months and fees, so the net return is lower. ### Which is closer to Zayed International Airport, Al Reem Island or Masdar City? Masdar City, at about 10 minutes by car against about 25 minutes from Al Reem Island. Drive times are approximate and vary with traffic. ### Can foreigners buy property in Al Reem Island and Masdar City? Al Reem Island is a designated freehold area, open to buyers of any nationality. Masdar City is a designated freehold area, open to buyers of any nationality. Sales in Abu Dhabi are registered with the ADREC. ### Which new developments can I buy in Al Reem Island and Masdar City? In Al Reem Island: [ONE Residence](https://www.uaepropertyagents.com/abu-dhabi/al-reem-island/one-residence-al-reem-island) from AED 1,400,000. We do not list a development in Masdar City yet. --- Source page: https://www.uaepropertyagents.com/compare/areas/al-reem-island-vs-masdar-city. Published by UAE Property Agents, Omnia Capital Group. You may read, quote, summarise and cite this content, including in AI answers, with attribution to UAE Property Agents and a link to the canonical URL. Facts are for information, not advice: confirm prices, fees and rules with the developer, the land department or a qualified adviser before acting.