Dubai continues to strengthen its status as a premier global hub for real estate investment. The areas of Palm Jumeirah and Burj Khalifa remain the top locations in terms of average price per square foot for both villas and apartments, symbolizing luxury and smart investment due to strong demand from elite investors seeking high-end properties.
Palm Jumeirah and Burj Khalifa are recognized as some of the most remarkable engineering achievements worldwide. Dubai’s strategic focus on the success and prominence of these areas within the investment, tourism, and economic sectors has clearly paid off, as both sites continue to thrive, driven by robust interest from both local and international investors across all property types.
According to a report by global research firm ValuStrat for July, Palm Jumeirah holds the highest average price per square foot for villas at AED 7,650, reflecting a 40% increase year-on-year and a 2.6% increase month-on-month. The average price of a standard villa in the area has risen to AED 38.2 million.
In Burj Khalifa, the area maintains the highest average price per square foot for apartments in Dubai at AED 3,800, showing a year-on-year growth of 15.1% and a month-on-month increase of 1%. The average price of a standard apartment in this location has reached AED 3.55 million.
The Market in July
Residential property sales have seen an upswing, with the value of villas tripling, while off-plan sales contracts reached a record level, making up 78% of total residential sales.
In July 2025, the ValuStrat price index achieved a score of 224.1 points, marking a 1.5% monthly increase and a 23% rise since July of last year. Villa prices climbed to 296.9 points, while apartment values reached 176.6 points, based on a baseline of 100 points established in January 2021.
Additionally, villa capital values grew by 1.8% month-on-month, a slight dip from 1.9% in June, with an annual increase of 27.9%. The best-performing villas annually included Jumeirah Islands (40.5%), Palm Jumeirah (40%), Arabian Ranches (26.5%), and Emirates Hills (26.1%).
The average value of freehold villas in Dubai is now pegged at 185% higher than post-pandemic levels, and 73% above the previous market peak in 2014.
Conversely, apartment prices rose by 1.1% month-on-month, demonstrating an 18.1% annual growth. The highest annual capital gains were recorded in The Greens (23.4%), Dubai Silicon Oasis (23.1%), Dubai Land residential community (25.5%), Palm Jumeirah (21.8%), Remraam (21.9%), and Town Square (21.7%). Today, the average value of apartments in Dubai is estimated to be 75% higher than post-pandemic levels, though it remains 4% below the market peak recorded in 2014.
Luxury Homes
In July, there were 26 transactions for ready properties exceeding AED 30 million, with 7 of these properties valued over AED 50 million. These prime real estate offerings are located in the Dubai International Financial Centre, Palm Jumeirah, Jumeirah Golf Estates, Dubai Hills Estate, Al Barari, Jumeirah Islands, The Lakes, and Downtown Dubai.
Top Developers and Locations
July saw Emaar lead developer sales with an 11.9% market share, followed by Damac with 10.6%, Sobha at 8.2%, Binghatti with 6.9%, Azizi at 3.7%, Aldar with 3.6%, Danube at 2.9%, and Samana at 2.8%.