Emarat Al Youm x Property finder
| Query: Share Q1 2026 & Q2 2026 average prices for studio, 1-bedroom and 2-bedroom apartments across areas of Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and Ajman. Include a comment on rental movements during H1 and their outlook for H2, for each emirate separately too. |
Cherif Sleiman, Chief Revenue Officer, Property Finder: The first half of 2026 showed that the rental market is moving at different speeds across the emirates, shifting away from overall growth toward localized, price-sensitive trends.
In Abu Dhabi, we saw a clear softening in rental prices during H1, particularly across premium areas like Yas Island and Al Reem Island. In these locations, rents adjusted downward by single and double digits from Q1 to Q2 as a wave of new supply gave tenants more options. Meanwhile, mainland districts like Al Musaffah held completely steady, showing that affordable areas are resisting these price drops. If this trend continues into the second half of the year, we can expect the Abu Dhabi market to remain a price-sensitive one.
Sharjah presented a much more mixed picture, where rental movements depend heavily on the specific neighborhood and property size. While waterfront areas like Al Khan experienced downward pressure and price drops for smaller units, established commuter hubs such as Al Nahda and Al Qasimia posted steady, modest price increases due to ongoing demand from professionals. Should this neighborhood-by-neighborhood division continue to define the market through H2, we can expect to see premium communities face ongoing rental softeners, while affordable, well-connected areas maintain their current demand and hold completely stable pricing.
Meanwhile, Ajman stood out as a hub for affordable housing in H1, driven by renters looking for better value. This demand caused sharp, double-digit rental spikes for studios in centrally located districts like Al Rashidiya and Al Nuaimiya, even though prices for larger one- and two-bedroom apartments remained mostly flat with minor upward and downward spikes, particularly in the 2-bedroom segment. If this current trajectory stays on course for the rest of the year, these rapid price jumps in the studio segment will naturally begin to level off as they hit affordability ceilings, while Ajman overall will continue to serve as a steady, budget-friendly option for renters in the Northern Emirates.
Abu Dhabi Areas
Rental prices for ** category in Q1 and Q2 2026 (in AED).
Studio
| No. | Area | Q1 2026 | Q2 2026 | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Yas Island | 94,999 | 85,000 | -10.5% |
| 2 | Corniche Area | 80,000 | 75,000 | -6.3% |
| 3 | Al Raha Beach | 95,000 | 95,000 | 0% |
| 4 | Al Reem Island | 75,000 | 65,000 | -13.3% |
| 5 | Al Khalidiya | 54,000 | 49,499.50 | -8.3% |
One bedroom
| No. | Area | Q1 2026 | Q2 2026 | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Yas Island | 115,000 | 110,000 | -4.4% |
| 2 | Corniche Area | 125,500 | 114,999 | -8.4% |
| 3 | Al Raha Beach | 120,000 | 110,000 | -8.3% |
| 4 | Al Reem Island | 96,000 | 90,000 | -6.3% |
| 5 | Al Khalidiya | 90,000 | 85,000 | -5.6% |
| 6 | Al Musaffah | 58,500 | 55,000 | -6% |
Two bedroom
| No. | Area | Q1 2026 | Q2 2026 | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Yas Island | 194,495 | 175,000 | -10% |
| 2 | Corniche Area | 160,000 | 150,000 | -6.3% |
| 3 | Al Raha Beach | 150,000 | 149,999 | 0% |
| 4 | Al Reem Island | 130,000 | 125,000 | -3.9% |
| 5 | Al Khalidiya | 130,000 | 120,000 | -5.6% |
| 6 | Al Musaffah | 70,000 | 70,000 | 0% |
Sharjah Areas
Rental prices for ** category in Q1 and Q2 2026 (in AED).
Studio
| No. | Area | Q1 2026 | Q2 2026 | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Al Taawun | 34,000 | 29,995 | -11.8% |
| 2 | Al Nahda | 32,000 | 33,000 | 3.1% |
| 3 | Muwaileh | 22,000 | 22,000 | 0% |
| 4 | Al Qasimia | 25,000 | 22,888 | -8.5% |
| 5 | Muwaileh Commercial | 38,000 | 37,999 | 0% |
One bedroom
| No. | Area | Q1 2026 | Q2 2026 | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Al Khan | 54,000 | 45,600 | -15.6% |
| 2 | Al Taawun | 42,000 | 41,000 | -2.4% |
| 3 | Al Majaz | 40,000 | 40,000 | 0% |
| 4 | Al Nahda | 37,999 | 38,000 | 0% |
| 5 | Muwaileh | 39,999 | 40,000 | 0% |
| 6 | Al Qasimia | 32,000 | 33,000 | 3.1% |
| 7 | Muwaileh Commercial | 47,000 | 47,000 | 0% |
Two bedroom
| No. | Area | Q1 2026 | Q2 2026 | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Al Khan | 63,000 | 63,000 | 0% |
| 2 | Al Taawun | 55,000 | 54,999 | 0% |
| 3 | Al Majaz | 52,000 | 53,000 | 1.9% |
| 4 | Al Nahda | 48,000 | 47,999 | 0% |
| 5 | Muwaileh | 51,990 | 53,000 | 1.9% |
| 6 | Al Qasimia | 39,000 | 39,000 | 0% |
| 7 | Muwaileh Commercial | 64,000 | 65,000 | 1.6% |
Ajman Areas:
Rental prices for ** category in Q1 and Q2 2026 (in AED).
Studio
| No. | Area | Q1 2026 | Q2 2026 | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Al Rawda | 21,000 | 22,000 | 4.8% |
| 2 | Al Jurf | 25,000 | 25,000 | 0% |
| 3 | Al Rashidiya | 21,000 | 33,000 | 57.1% |
| 4 | Al Nuaimiya | 22,000 | 27,600 | 25.5% |
One bedroom
| No. | Area | Q1 2026 | Q2 2026 | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Al Rawda | 32,000 | 32,000 | 0% |
| 2 | Al Jurf | 32,000 | 33,000 | 3.1% |
| 3 | Al Rashidiya | 44,000 | 44,400 | 0.9% |
| 4 | Al Nuaimiya | 30,000 | 32,000 | 6.7% |
Two bedroom
| No. | Area | Q1 2026 | Q2 2026 | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Al Rawda | 40,000 | 43,000 | 7.5% |
| 2 | Al Jurf | 43,000 | 42,000 | -2.3% |
| 3 | Al Rashidiya | 54,999.50 | 56,000 | 1.8% |
| 4 | Al Nuaimiya | 42,000 | 42,939 | 2.2% |
