LENS / Pavan Mulani
AED 2 million in Dubai: What should it buy you?
Edited from the article published on LinkedIn. Figures and assumptions are from the original publication, not a current market update.
AED 2 million leaves an investor with a useful choice: more space, an established address, newer infrastructure or a stronger rental case. It rarely buys all four at once. I would begin by deciding what I want the property to do.
What the budget buys
The 2026 transaction data used in the original article put JVC around AED 1,500 per sq ft, Dubai Marina around AED 2,060, Dubai Hills around AED 2,430, Dubai Creek Harbour around AED 2,600 and Downtown around AED 3,010. These are community averages; the individual building and unit still need checking.
At different prices per square foot, AED 2 million buys approximately:
- AED 1,500: 1,333 sq ft
- AED 2,000: 1,000 sq ft
- AED 2,500: 800 sq ft
- AED 3,000: 667 sq ft
Decide what you value
For space and rental income, I would examine established mid-market communities such as JVC. Lower entry prices can leave more capital available, but building quality, the developer and competing supply matter.
Dubai Marina offers an established rental and resale market. At roughly AED 2,058 per sq ft in the cited data, the budget equates to about 970 sq ft before allowing for differences between buildings.
Dubai Hills trades some physical space for newer infrastructure, parks and family amenities. Dubai Creek Harbour, at about AED 2,600 per sq ft, points towards roughly 770 sq ft. There, a good one-bedroom may make more sense than a compromised two-bedroom.
I would rather own a well-positioned one-bedroom with a practical layout and tenant demand than buy an average two-bedroom simply because it is larger.
The choice depends on your purpose, the unit’s quality, its likely rent and who might buy it from you later. Before committing AED 2 million, be clear about what you are gaining and what you are giving up.
RadheyShyamRealtor.com
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