Reem Island and Al Maryah Island post a 6.8% gross yield calculated from Bayut data (March 2026). Here are our five picks, with their figures, the investor profile each one suits and the weak point of each.
On this page
- Reem Island: the best gross yield at a moderate price
- Al Maryah Island: the highest rent per sq ft in Abu Dhabi
- Yas Island: above-median yield and strong five-year capital growth
- Al Rahah: the middle-ground option, with a wide choice of projects
- Al Bahyah: the cheapest entry point, but highly volatile prices
- What are the best areas for rental yield in Abu Dhabi? The summary table
- How to choose based on your goal
The best areas for rental yield in Abu Dhabi are Reem Island and Al Maryah Island, both at a 6.8% gross yield calculated from Bayut data for March 2026, ahead of Yas Island (5.8%, March 2026) and Al Rahah (5.7%, February 2026). Al Bahyah rounds out the selection: it has the lowest entry price, but it is also the most volatile area.
For each area, we give the price per sq ft, the annual rent per sq ft, price trends, specific projects, the investor profile it suits and an honest weak point. The yield shown is gross: annual rent divided by price, before service charges and vacancy. It is a tool for comparing areas, not a promise of income.
Reem Island: the best gross yield at a moderate price
Reem Island offers a calculated gross yield of 6.8%, with prices at AED 1,497/sq ft and rents at AED 102/sq ft/year according to Bayut data for March 2026. That figure excludes service charges and vacancy. It puts Reem level with Al Maryah, at the top of the market.
Prices are rising steadily: +6.1% over 12 months, +37.3% over 36 months and +44% over 60 months, again according to Bayut (March 2026).
Projects for every budget
Among the projects we list, Oceanscape by DAMAC Properties starts at AED 500,000 (completed May 2013). The District by Reportage Properties starts at AED 1.1M (handover June 2029), and Radiant Bridges by Radiant at AED 1.4M (handover May 2029).
A worked example: applied to The District's entry price (AED 1.1M), the area's 6.8% gross yield (Bayut, March 2026) works out to gross rent of around AED 74,800 a year. It is a benchmark for comparison, not guaranteed income.
Who it suits: investors whose priority is rental income, on a moderate budget.
Al Maryah Island: the highest rent per sq ft in Abu Dhabi
Al Maryah Island has the highest rent in our selection: AED 138/sq ft/year, with prices at AED 2,043/sq ft and a calculated gross yield of 6.8%, according to Bayut data for March 2026. The area is home to ADGM, Abu Dhabi's financial centre, which drives premium rental demand.
Over one year, prices here have risen less than elsewhere: +3.7% over 12 months, the smallest increase of our five areas. Over the longer run, growth is clear: +40.8% over 36 months and +63% over 60 months (Bayut, March 2026).
Among the projects we list, two prestige towers are due in December 2028: Reportage Tower by Reportage Properties and The St. Regis Residences by SAAS Properties.
Who it suits: investors willing to pay more per sq ft to rent to finance professionals.
The weak point: the choice of projects is limited. And a square foot costs AED 546 more than on Reem (AED 2,043 vs 1,497, Bayut, March 2026) for the same gross yield.
Yas Island: above-median yield and strong five-year capital growth
Yas Island shows a calculated gross yield of 5.8%, with prices at AED 1,922/sq ft and rents at AED 112/sq ft/year according to Bayut data for March 2026. That is above the market median.
Capital growth is what sets it apart: +6.3% over 12 months (the strongest annual rise among the established areas in our selection), +43% over 36 months and +58.9% over 60 months.
We list three Aldar Properties projects on the island: Sama Yas (handover April 2028), Yas Riva (September 2028) and Waldorf Astoria Residences Yas (December 2028). Add to these Perla 1 by Reportage Properties (December 2028).
In my experience, clients torn between income and capital growth often end up on Yas. They gain visibility: handovers are clustered in 2028 and a benchmark developer is behind most of the projects.
Who it suits: investors who want both rental income and capital growth.
The weak point: a square foot costs more than on Reem, for a gross yield one point lower (5.8% vs 6.8%).
Al Rahah: the middle-ground option, with a wide choice of projects
Al Rahah offers a calculated gross yield of 5.7%, exactly the market median, at AED 1,691/sq ft with rents of AED 97/sq ft/year. These Bayut figures date from February 2026, not March as for most of the other areas.
Prices have risen 6.2% over 12 months, 34.2% over 36 months and 40% over 60 months. Over 36 and 60 months, that is the smallest increase of our five areas.
Plenty of developers to choose from
- ICTReD is delivering Juman 1, Juman 2 and Juman 3 between December 2028 and June 2029.
- Baia, by Reportage Properties, is due in June 2029.
- Pearl Beach View, by Advanced Properties, starts at AED 2M, with handover in December 2029.
Who it suits: investors looking for a decent yield and a wide choice of developers.
The weak point: past capital growth is weaker than elsewhere, and rent per sq ft is the lowest of the four waterfront areas in our selection.
Al Bahyah: the cheapest entry point, but highly volatile prices
Al Bahyah has the lowest price in our selection: AED 858/sq ft, with rents of AED 45/sq ft/year and a calculated gross yield of 5.2%, according to Bayut data for April 2026.
A project in mind?
Talk to a Lucretia adviser
Tailored guidance, no obligation.
Prices have been very choppy. The five-year rise is the strongest in the selection, yet the area also went through a three-year decline.
Among the projects we list, Sobha City by Sobha Realty starts at AED 1.5M (handover December 2029). The same developer is delivering River Cove Residences in December 2029, and Aldar Properties is delivering Yas Riva Reserve in September 2030.
Who it suits: investors who want plenty of space for their budget and are comfortable with risk.
The weak point: with prices this volatile, the gross yield can shift quickly. And handovers are a long way off, between 2029 and 2030: the first rent will come late.
What are the best areas for rental yield in Abu Dhabi? The summary table
Across the 8 Abu Dhabi areas for which Bayut publishes both sale prices and rents, the calculated gross yield ranges from 2.4% (Al Jurf Gardens) to 6.8% (Reem Island and Al Maryah Island). The median is 5.7%.
Free guide, delivered on WhatsApp
Get our investment guide
Taxation, visas, financing, buying steps: 14 pages sent to your WhatsApp within minutes.
| Area (Bayut month) | Price AED/sq ft | 12 months | 36 months | 60 months | Rent AED/sq ft/year | Gross yield |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reem Island (March 2026) | 1,497 | +6.1% | +37.3% | +44% | 102 | 6.8% |
| Al Maryah Island (March 2026) | 2,043 | +3.7% | +40.8% | +63% | 138 | 6.8% |
| Yas Island (March 2026) | 1,922 | +6.3% | +43% | +58.9% | 112 | 5.8% |
| Al Rahah (February 2026) | 1,691 | +6.2% | +34.2% | +40% | 97 | 5.7% |
| Al Bahyah (April 2026) | 858 | +44.4% | −8.6% | +116.2% | 45 | 5.2% |
| Al Saadiyat Island (March 2026) | 2,714 | +4.1% | +39.8% | +67.2% | 117 | 4.3% |
| Ghantout (March 2026) | 1,546 | +4.9% | +50.2% | +55.2% | 61 | 3.9% |
| Al Jurf Gardens (March 2026) | 1,603 | +5.4% | +59.6% | +74.8% | 39 | 2.4% |
Three areas did not make our selection. Al Saadiyat Island (4.3% gross at AED 2,714/sq ft), Ghantout (3.9%) and Al Jurf Gardens (2.4%) are better suited to capital growth than to rental income.
Two other areas have no calculable yield, for lack of rental data: Fahid Island (AED 3,844/sq ft, +186.4% over 36 months) and Al Hudayriat Island (AED 1,792/sq ft, August 2026).
Market benchmarks according to Bayut: a median price of AED 1,792/sq ft across 10 areas and a median rise of 6.1% over 12 months. The calculation stays simple: annual rent per sq ft divided by price per sq ft. Our guide to rental yields in Abu Dhabi explains the method and its limits.
How to choose based on your goal
The right area depends on your goal: Reem Island or Al Maryah Island for income, Yas Island or Al Rahah to combine income and capital growth, Al Bahyah for a smaller budget with an appetite for risk.
The mistake I see most often: choosing an area on gross yield alone, without checking when the property will be handed over and how many new homes will hit the same street at the same time.
— Sofiane ABDELAZIZ, Real Estate Consultant
On budget, projects in our catalogue start between AED 500,000 and AED 2M, with a median of AED 1.5M (17 projects with a published price). The catalogue covers 69 projects from 24 developers; you can browse all our projects in Abu Dhabi.
The Golden Visa requires a minimum of AED 2,000,000 invested in property; our guide to the Abu Dhabi property Golden Visa sets out the real budget.
The framework is the same in all these areas
Foreigners can buy in designated investment zones, and transfer fees are 2% of the price according to DARI. Individuals pay no tax on rental income or capital gains, a 0% rate (UAE government portal).
To go further, see our guides to property tax in Abu Dhabi and areas open to foreign buyers.
Once you have chosen the area, three steps follow: buying off-plan the right way, following the purchase process through to the title deed, then arranging property management. Lucretia works with you to select the best-suited projects in these areas; our dedicated Abu Dhabi market page explains how we support you.
This article is part of our guide
Abu Dhabi Property Investment Guide: Buy, Let and Resell with Confidence
About the author
Sofiane ABDELAZIZ
Real Estate Consultant
Sofiane is a real estate investment expert in Dubai with a solid background in finance and investment strategy. He specializes in financial market analysis and risk management, treating real estate as a true asset class. After gaining experience in the secondary market, he moved into Off Plan investment, developing in-depth knowledge of the Dubai real estate market. At Lucretia Immobilier, he supports an international clientele in acquiring high-potential properties with a structured, transparent, and performance-driven approach.
