Most Affordable Places to Live in Dubai

Looking for a new home on a budget? Fret not.

Despite the city’s reputation for glitz and glamor, there are plenty of affordable places to stay in Dubai. These neighborhoods are spread out in different locations in the city so you can easily find a place that’s close to work or school.

Cheapest Areas to Live in Dubai

If you’re looking for cheap accommodation in Dubai, you’ll find many areas that cater to your needs. Whether you want to live in a villa or apartment, these neighborhoods have just the home for you.

International City

This eclectic neighborhood tops the list of cheap residential areas in Dubai. Nakheel developed this community in 2002 to offer affordable housing.

It consists of studios, 1 and 2-bedroom apartments spread across 10 distinctly themed clusters. The clusters are named after different countries such as Spain, Greece, and China, and embody their architectural styles. International City is hands down one of the best places for finding cheap apartments for rent in Dubai.

International City is located in the Al Warsan region on the outskirts of Dubai. It’s home to Dragon Mart Mall and close to Al Warqa and Dubai Silicon Oasis.

Dubai Silicon Oasis

Next on the list is Dubai Silicon Oasis. This area is ideal for residential and commercial properties since it has a technology park that houses many start-ups.

It has both apartments and villas at reasonable prices, making it one of the most affordable places to live in Dubai. It’s located next to International City, Academic City, and Nad Al Sheba 4, at the intersection of Dubai-Al Ain Road (E66) and Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road (E311).

Al Nahda Dubai

Al Nahda is among the cheapest areas to live in Dubai. It offers studios, 1, 2, and 3-bedroom apartments for rent in Dubai at reasonable prices. The area is located next to Sharjah, and has great connectivity via metro stations and bus stops.

Deira

This historically significant neighborhood is located along the Dubai Creek and near the Dubai International Airport. It’s one of the cheapest areas to live in Dubai, and there are many affordable apartments for rent in Deira. The neighborhood boasts a charming blend of old and new attractions and buildings. It is also well connected by metro stations.

Dubai Investments Park (DIP)

Dubai Investments Park (DIP) is a self-sufficient community with residential, commercial, and industrial properties. It has many facilities, such as parks, schools, supermarkets and gyms. It’s located along Expo Road, next to Expo City and is served by a metro station. 

DIP offers reasonably priced apartments, and has a subcommunity called ‘Green Community’ which offers villas and apartments set in a green gated community.

Discovery Gardens

This green neighborhood is ideal for those looking for affordable apartments surrounded by nature. The area stands out with its colorful low-rise buildings and tree-lined streets. It’s connected to multiple metro stations and bus stops and is located next to Ibn Battuta mall. The apartments for rent in Discovery Gardens are popular among bachelors and small families.

Dubai South

This self-sufficient neighborhood offers affordable apartments and villas close to Al Maktoum International Airport. The area is rich in amenities and is a hub for businesses in different industries.

DAMAC Hills 2 

DAMAC Hills 2 is luxurious yet one of the most affordable gated communities in Dubai. This residential community offers townhouses, villas, and apartments at reasonable prices surrounded by all the amenities you could need, including a golf course. It's a popular place to buy a villa in Dubai at a reasonable price.

Dubai Sports City

Dubai Sports City is a popular choice among those looking for cheap residential areas in Dubai. It offers a large variety of properties including apartments, villas, and townhouses. It’s a haven for sports enthusiasts thanks to its sports venues, gyms, and even a golf course.

Al Warsan

This peaceful neighborhood offers affordable apartments in low-rise buildings surrounded by amenities, making it great for those looking for cheap places to stay in Dubai. It’s next to International City and Dubai Safari Park.

International City

3.2/5

About

International City is one of the most affordable residential areas in Dubai. It was developed by Nakheel to accommodate over 60,000 residents over an area of 800 hectares (8 million square metres). International City stands out with its unique architectural style, which follows themes of different countries split into clusters.
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Property types

* Distribution of property types in this community.

Apartment prices starting from

For rent : 27,000 AED/year

For sale : 295,000 AED

* Based on listing prices in last 3 months.

Learn more about prices

Deira

3.2/5

About

Deira is one of the oldest areas in Dubai, with origins dating back to the 1700s. Thus, it’s home to many historical sites and traditional markets that showcase Dubai’s heritage. Located on the Dubai Creek close to Bur Dubai, it offers a culturally rich waterfront lifestyle and serves as a testament to Dubai’s history as a trading hub in the region.
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Property types

* Distribution of property types in this community.

Apartment prices starting from

For rent : 19,000 AED/year

For sale : 980,999 AED

* Based on listing prices in last 3 months.

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Dubai Sports City

3.9/5

About

Dubai Sports City is strategically positioned within Dubai. With a plethora of sports facilities, including Golf at the Els Club or Crossfit at FitRepublik, it is great for active singles. Furthermore, its several schools and nurseries (with more being built) make it a great pick for families too. It is also known for its competitive rents, great facilities, and well-connected location. Dubai Sports City apartments for rent and sale, as well as the villas, are reasonably priced.
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Property types

* Distribution of property types in this community.

Apartment prices starting from

For rent : 36,000 AED/year

For sale : 400,000 AED

* Based on listing prices in last 3 months.

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Reviews from residents


Dubai Silicon Oasis

4.1/5

About

Dubai Silicon Oasis, also known as DSO, is a free trade zone and integrated technology park established by the Dubai Government in 2003. It spans 7.2 square kilometers and is located at the intersection of Dubai-Al Ain Road (E66) and Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road (E311), next to Academic City, International City, and Nad Al Sheba 4.
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Property types

* Distribution of property types in this community.

Apartment prices starting from

For rent : 35,000 AED/year

For sale : 400,000 AED

* Based on listing prices in last 3 months.

Learn more about prices

Reviews from residents


Al Warsan

3.9/5

About

Al Warsan is an up-and-coming community situated in Dubai. It's the perfect place for families, couples, and singles due to the variety of properties available. It offers a relaxed atmosphere with plenty of unique highlights and attractions to keep visitors entertained. If you’re looking to live in Al Warsan, you have plenty of housing options available including apartments and villas at affordable prices.
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Property types

* Distribution of property types in this community.

Apartment prices starting from

For rent : 35,000 AED/year

For sale : 346,941 AED

* Based on listing prices in last 3 months.

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Dubai Investment Park (DIP)

3.3/5

About

Dubai Investment Park (DIP) is an environmentally friendly, mixed-use development that features a wide array of residential, industrial, and commercial properties. It's a self-contained area that covers 2300 hectares with a wide range of amenities that make living there convenient. It was developed by Dubai Investments Park Development Company.
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Property types

* Distribution of property types in this community.

Apartment prices starting from

For rent : 40,000 AED/year

For sale : 315,000 AED

* Based on listing prices in last 3 months.

Learn more about prices

Reviews from residents


Dubai South (Dubai World Central)

5/5

About

Dubai South, previously known as Dubai World Central (DWC), is a dynamic community centered around Al Maktoum International Airport, which is planned to become the world's largest airport.
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Property types

* Distribution of property types in this community.

Apartment prices starting from

For rent : 35,000 AED/year

For sale : 420,000 AED

* Based on listing prices in last 3 months.

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Damac Hills 2

4.5/5

About

Damac Hills 2 (formerly known as Akoya Oxygen) is a self-contained master development spread over 42 million sq. ft. located in Dubailand, between Jebel Ali – Lehbab Road (E77) and Al Ain –Dubai Highway (E66). It was launched in 2014 by leading real estate developer, DAMAC Properties following the success of their first community, DAMAC Hills.
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Property types

* Distribution of property types in this community.

Townhouse prices starting from

For rent : 74,000 AED/year

For sale : 1,120,000 AED

* Based on listing prices in last 3 months.

Learn more about prices

Discovery Gardens

4.1/5

About

Discovery Gardens is the go-to community for singles and families looking for an affordable, green, and walkable community in Dubai.
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Property types

* Distribution of property types in this community.

Apartment prices starting from

For rent : 42,999 AED/year

For sale : 460,000 AED

* Based on listing prices in last 3 months.

Learn more about prices

Reviews from residents


FAQ

The cheapest places to live in Dubai are: 

  • International City
  • Dubai South
  • Deira
  • Bur Dubai
  • Dubai Investment Park (DIP)
  • Al Warsan
  • Al Muhaisnah
  • Damac Hills 2
  • Satwa
  • Liwan
     

You can live cheaply in Dubai by: 

  • Renting in an affordable area
  • Reducing transportation costs by living close to work or your kids’ schools, using public transportation like the metro and buses, and taking alternative routes to avoid paying Salik toll fees.
  • Buying groceries from affordable supermarkets like Viva, Lulu, Nesto Hypermarket, and West Zone, or using loyalty programs like Carrefour’s Share.
  • Looking for free or cheap entertainment options such as going to the beach, the park or the desert during good weather.
  • Using discount apps like Entertainer
  • Choosing discounted internet packages.

The reasonable salary for a single person to live in Dubai is about AED 10,000 to AED 15,000.

  • Choose from the many affordable areas in Dubai like Liwan, Dubai South, Al Warsan, Damac Hills 2, and Dubai Investment Park.
  • Filter by your chosen budget when looking for a home on Property Finder.

Jumeirah Village Circle (JVC), Dubai Silicon Oasis, Al Nahda, Motor City, Business Bay, and Dubai Sports City are popular among middle-class people in Dubai.