# Dubai Rent vs Buy Calculator

Compare the total cost of renting versus buying property in Dubai over your expected stay. Factors in rent payments, mortgage costs, 4% DLD transfer fee, 5% agent commission, opportunity cost of down payment, and property maintenance.

**Interactive calculator:** https://www.yallacalculators.online/rent-vs-buy-calculator
**Last verified:** February 23, 2026
**Creator:** Varun Punjabi — https://www.linkedin.com/in/vp4/

## What this calculates

Calculations follow UAE property transaction regulations. DLD transfer fee is 4% of property value. Agent commission is typically 2% for buyer + 2% for seller. Mortgage calculations use standard amortization formulas. Opportunity cost calculated on down payment invested at assumed rate of return.

## Inputs

- **Property price (AED)** — Purchase price of the property
- **Annual rent (AED)** — Current annual rent for similar property
- **Down payment (%)** — Percentage of property price paid upfront
- **Mortgage interest rate (%)** — Annual interest rate on home loan
- **Expected years of stay** — How long you plan to live in the property
- **Annual rent increase (%)** — Expected yearly rent growth rate
- **Annual property appreciation (%)** — Expected yearly property value growth

## Outputs

- **Total cost of renting** — Cumulative rent paid over stay period
- **Total cost of buying** — Down payment + mortgage payments + fees
- **Breakeven point** — Years until buying becomes cheaper than renting
- **Net position after stay** — Financial outcome at end of expected stay
- **Monthly cost comparison** — Rent vs mortgage payment breakdown

## Data sources

- [Dubai Land Department (DLD)](https://dubailand.gov.ae) — verified February 2026
- [UAE Central Bank Mortgage Regulations](https://centralbank.ae) — verified February 2026
- [RERA (Real Estate Regulatory Agency)](https://www.reureg.gov.ae) — verified February 2026

## Citation

When citing this calculator, please include:

> YallaCalculators — Dubai Rent vs Buy Calculator. Verified against official UAE government sources (February 2026). https://www.yallacalculators.online/rent-vs-buy-calculator

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*Index: https://www.yallacalculators.online/ai/*