A. SREENIVASA REDDY (ABU DHABI)
Abu Dhabi properties continue to yield good investment returns as rents across all segments saw a steady rise in the third quarter of 2025, according to data from Dubizzle, the UAE’s popular classifieds platform.
According to Dubizzle’s findings, Al Reef delivered a Return on Investment (RoI) of 8.76%, the highest across all apartment tiers, while Masdar City recorded the highest RoI for villas at 8.54% across all budget categories.
The report showed that the emirate’s rental market concluded the third quarter on a strong note, supported by balanced demand and supply across all segments.
Al Raha Beach, the Corniche Area and Yas Island remained the top choices for luxury apartment rentals, with Al Raha Beach seeing average one-bedroom rents increase 9.18% to Dh107,000 per year.
Al Reem Island, Al Muroor and Al Khalidiyah continued to attract mid-range tenants, with one-bedroom apartments in Al Muroor recording the lowest average annual rent of Dh37,000. Budget-friendly options such as Khalifa City, Al Shamkha and Al Ghadeer also saw strong demand, with apartment rents ranging between Dh25,000 and Dh98,000annually depending on unit size.
For villa rentals, Yas Island, Al Bateen and Saadiyat Island led the luxury segment, with average annual rents for villas on Yas Island rising to Dh290,000 in Q3 2025. Shakhbout City, Al Samha and Al Raha Gardens dominated the mid-tier bracket, where average annual rents ranged between Dh147,000 and Dh196,000. Budget-conscious tenants preferred Khalifa City, Al Shamkha and Al Reef, with three-bedroom villas available from around Dh100,000 per year.
The ready property market also showed strong performance. Average apartment prices in Al Raha Beach rose 14.27% to Dh2.6 million, while Al Reem Island posted a 10.07% increase in the average price of three-bedroom units to Dh1.32 million. For buyers seeking affordability, Al Reef, Al Ghadeer and Al Shamkha offered apartments starting from about Dh744,000.
In the off-plan segment, activity remained robust as investors continued to favour long-term developments.
Gardenia Bay in Yas Island remained the most sought-after luxury apartment project in Abu Dhabi’s off-plan market, with units priced at an average of Dh2.08 million.
Nouran Living in Saadiyat Island and Reportage Tower in Al Maryah Island also drew strong interest from luxury apartment buyers, with average prices of Dh2.09 million and Dh1.77 million, respectively. Mid-tier buyers focused on Reem Hills and Royal Park in Masdar City, while affordable options such as Reeman Living in Al Shamkha and Granada in Zayed City drew strong interest, with starting prices from Dh365,000.
For off-plan villas, demand centred around Yas Park Views, Saadiyat Lagoons and Ohana by The Sea, priced between Dh4.9 million and Dh9.88 million. Mid-range projects such as Reem Hills and Royal Park in Masdar City ranged from Dh6.86 million to Dh10.09 million, while affordable developments including Fay Al Reeman 2 in Al Shamkha started at Dh1.7 million.
Dubizzle said Abu Dhabi’s property market remains supported by strong governance, digital transparency, and a well-regulated framework that continues to attract investors seeking both stability and returns.