Rent vs Buy Calculator
Should you rent or buy a home in Dubai? Our simple calculator compares the true cost over your planned stay, including UAE-specific fees, equity build-up, and the opportunity cost of your down payment.
How many years will you stay?Your planned holding period. Most Dubai buyers sell within 5–10 years; the result is very sensitive to this.
yrs
Bedrooms
Bathrooms
Renting
Comfortable monthly rentThe monthly rent you'd pay for an equivalent home if you were renting instead of buying.
Buying
Home pricePurchase price of the property. UAE Central Bank requires a larger down payment for properties above AED 5M.
Residency statusUAE Central Bank regulations set minimum down payments by residency: 15/25% for Nationals, 20/30% for Residents, 30/40% for Non-Residents (higher when price ≥ AED 5M).
Down paymentThe cash amount you pay up-front. Below the minimum for your residency it will snap to the minimum allowed.
500,000
20%
min 20% (500,000 AED)80%
Mortgage interest rateThe fixed rate during the initial period. UAE rates typically sit at 3.5–6% depending on your bank and residency.
%
Monthly service chargeOwner-paid service charge, typically 10–30 AED per sqft per year on a Dubai home. Replaces the old hardcoded 15,000 AED/year assumption.
Homeowners insurance rateAnnual building insurance premium as a percentage of the property price.
%
Loan typeMortgage term. UAE maximum is 25 years, with repayment required before age 65 (salaried) or 70 (self-employed).
Buying saves you 137,160 AED over 5 years.
Buying saves you 2,286 AED per month
Renting
8,000/mo est
Initial costsSecurity deposit + first-year agency fee + Ejari + any renewal fees over your stay.-16,156 AED
Cost of rentTotal rent paid over the stay period, growing at your rent growth rate.-530,461 AED
Renters insuranceTotal contents insurance paid over the stay period.-6,896 AED
Net proceedsSecurity deposit returned at the end of the tenancy.+5,000 AED
Total cost after 5 yrs-548,513 AED
Net worth from homeEquity built from owning. Renting builds no home equity.0 AED
Buying
15,158/mo est
Initial costsDown payment + DLD transfer + trustee + buying agency fee + bank processing/registration/valuation.-676,220 AED
Cost of mortgageTotal principal + interest paid across the stay period.-692,216 AED
Recurring costsBuilding + life insurance + service charge + maintenance across the stay period.-241,374 AED
Net proceedsEstimated sale price at the end of your stay, minus selling agency fee, NOC, mortgage balance, and overpayment fee.+1,198,457 AED
Total cost after 5 yrs-411,353 AED
Net worth from homeEquity at sale: sale price minus selling costs and remaining mortgage balance.+1,198,457 AED
If the renter invested the buyer's up-front cash and monthly differential at 5% annually, their portfolio would grow toSeeded with the difference between buyer and renter initial costs. Each month, any excess of buy-side outflow over rent-side outflow is added and compounded at the investment return rate.
1,292,200 AED
In today's AED (after 2% inflation over 5 years)Discounts the nominal totals by the inflation rate compounded over your stay period. Useful for comparing long horizons.
Rent 496,805·Buy 372,575
Net position over time
Cumulative rent cost
Buy net position vs rent
Estimates only. Actual rates and fees vary by bank, residency, and deal. Does not replace advice from a licensed mortgage adviser.