What does the calculator compare?
It compares cumulative rent with initial buying cash, mortgage payments, owner costs and estimated net sale proceeds over your chosen holding period.
Dubai rent vs buy comparison
Compare cumulative rent with initial buying costs, mortgage payments, owner costs and estimated resale equity over the years you expect to stay.
Growth and transaction assumptions
Estimated lower net cost over 6 years
Buying
Difference: AED 417,815. Buying first becomes cheaper around year 2 under these assumptions.
Renting cost
AED 588,202
Buying net cost
AED 170,387
Monthly mortgage
AED 4,447
Net sale proceeds
AED 489,493
This comparison is sensitive to future rent, appreciation, service charges, mortgage rates and selling costs. The buying scenario assumes the purchaser bears a 4% DLD sale-registration charge and a 2% agency commission plus VAT; use the Dubai Buying Cost Calculator when you need editable transaction-fee assumptions. It is a planning scenario, not a forecast or financial recommendation.
Direct answer
There is no universal rent-or-buy answer. The break-even point depends on rent, purchase price, financing, ownership costs, future value and how long you stay.
Frequently asked questions
Is property appreciation guaranteed?
No. Appreciation is an editable scenario assumption, not a forecast. Set it to zero if you want a more conservative comparison.
Are Dubai buying fees included?
The buying scenario uses the AR Empires Dubai buying-cost engine for down payment and the main DLD/registration assumptions, then adds the owner-cost assumptions you enter.