Cost to Rent an Apartment in Abu Dhabi in 2025: Area by Area Price Guide

✨ Introduction

In 2025, the cost to rent an apartment in Abu Dhabi is higher than it has been in many years, as the city experiences strong demand from new residents, investors, and long-term expatriate families. At the same time, supply in key districts has not fully caught up, which keeps average rents on an upward path.

Tenants who want to rent an apartment in Abu Dhabi need clear, factual expectations about what they will actually pay per year in different parts of the city. This guide uses information from recognised consultancies, government-linked data platforms, and major property portals to explain current prices, typical ranges by area, the main cost drivers, and the extra fees you should expect in 2025.

1️⃣ 📊 Snapshot of Abu Dhabi apartment rents in 2025

Consultancy reports for early and mid-2025 show that average asking apartment rents in Abu Dhabi City are around AED 114,000 per year. Studio units average about AED 63,000, one-bedroom homes AED 89,000, two-bedroom apartments AED 125,000, and three-bedroom apartments about AED 180,000.

Official figures shared through the Abu Dhabi Real Estate Centre, which tracks registered leases, confirm strong rent levels. For example, published data shows a two-bedroom apartment in the city averaging just above AED 100,000 a year, underlining that central units command a significant portion of a typical household budget when people rent an apartment in Abu Dhabi.

That means anyone planning to rent an apartment in Abu Dhabi needs to plan for both today’s asking prices and the fact that renewals may be higher in the next cycle.

2️⃣ 🏢 Average annual rents by apartment size

While every building and community is different, recent market surveys give realistic ranges for 2025:

1. Studios
   • Citywide average asking rent is around AED 60,000 to 65,000 a year, with more affordable areas below this and prime waterfront areas above it.
   • Students and single professionals who rent an apartment in Abu Dhabi often start at this level to manage costs.
2. One-bedroom apartments
   • Typical range roughly AED 75,000 to 100,000 per year in many popular areas, with luxury projects higher.
   • These homes suit couples or single tenants who want a bit more space yet still aim to rent an apartment in Abu Dhabi within a mid-range budget.
3. Two-bedroom apartments
   • Average city figures from different sources cluster between AED 100,000 and 130,000 annually, depending on the age of the building and location.
4. Three-bedroom apartments
   • Families seeking extra rooms in central or waterfront districts commonly see asking rents of AED 160,000 to 190,000 a year, with some high-end schemes beyond that range.

3️⃣ 📍 Popular areas and what you are likely to pay

Different communities show very different rent levels in 2025. Recent rental market reports from major portals highlight the following patterns:

1. Al Reem Island
   • Well known for high-rise living close to the central business district.
   • Average apartment asking rent is around AED 120,000 per year, with studios in the mid-fifty thousand range and one-bedroom units in the upper eighties to low nineties.
   • For a tenant wanting to rent an apartment in Abu Dhabi with a city feel and sea views, this island is a common target.
2. Al Raha Beach
   • Waterfront lifestyle, mixed buildings, and strong demand.
   • A recent H1 2025 rental report notes average apartment rents around AED 143,000 per year, after increases of more than eleven percent compared with the previous period.
   • One-bedroom homes here can be close to or above AED 90,000, while larger units are considerably higher.
3. Khalifa City and other affordable districts
   • Khalifa City is repeatedly described as the most popular affordable area for apartment rentals, offering lower asking rents for larger spaces compared with central islands.
   • Studios and smaller units can be far below the citywide averages, which helps lower the cost when you rent an apartment in Abu Dhabi on a more limited salary.
4. Corniche and Saadiyat Island
   • Corniche areas and Saadiyat Island attract families who want schools, beach clubs, and cultural attractions.
   • Two and three-bedroom homes here commonly sit toward the upper end of the ranges, with Saadiyat three-bedroom apartments reported around AED 180,000 a year in recent examples.

These examples show how strongly location shapes your annual budget.

4️⃣ 💡 Key factors that change what you pay when you rent

Beyond headline averages, several practical factors push your rent up or down when you rent an apartment in Abu Dhabi:

1. Age and quality of the building
   • Newer schemes with gyms, pools, concierge services, and parking consistently ask for higher rents than older stock with basic services.
   • Reports note that many tenants now prefer modern residences with extensive amenities, which reduces demand for outdated buildings and concentrates rent growth in newer projects.
2. View and exact position in the community
   • Sea views, higher floors, and units facing open space can command a premium over internal or lower-floor units in the same tower.
3. Furnishing and fit out
   • Fully furnished apartments typically cost more per year than similar unfurnished units, although they can reduce your initial setup costs.
4. Lease length and payment structure
   • Most contracts still expect annual rent to be paid in one to four cheques. Landlords may negotiate slightly on price if you pay the full year in a single cheque, which can matter when you rent an apartment in Abu Dhabi with a tight cash flow.
5. Parking, chiller, and utilities
   • Inclusive chiller or bundled utility packages can make a higher headline rent a better value than a cheaper unit with large monthly bills for cooling and parking.

5️⃣ 📈 How 2024 to 2025 trends shape prices this year

Several connected trends explain why tenants are seeing higher costs in 2025:

1. Strong rent growth over several quarters
   • Data shows Abu Dhabi apartment rents rising by roughly nine to over twelve percent year on year between late 2024 and mid 2025, with quarter-on-quarter growth still positive in many reports.
   • Some analyses even point to apartment rent increases above thirteen percent in the twelve months to mid-2025.
2. High occupancy and limited immediate supply
   • Articles discussing the 2025 market note occupancy levels above ninety-five percent in many schemes and a relatively limited number of ready units in prime areas.
   • New completions are entering the market, but not enough to reverse the upward pressure on rents.
3. Shift toward lifestyle communities
   • Tenants are increasingly choosing integrated communities with retail, schools, and leisure attractions built in, even if the rent is higher.

For anyone who wants to rent an apartment in Ajman, these trends mean it is important to compare data from different quarters, not just rely on older listings.

6️⃣ 💳 Extra costs to plan for beyond the rent

The annual rent is only one part of the real cost when you rent an apartment in Abu Dhabi. Typical additional expenses include:

1. Security deposit
   • Commonly, five percent of the annual rent for unfurnished units and up to ten percent for furnished units, held against damage or unpaid bills, and is usually refundable at the end of the lease.
2. Agency commission
   • If a broker is involved, expect to pay an agency fee, often around five percent of the annual rent or a fixed minimum amount, depending on the firm.
3. Lease registration and admin charges
   • Tenancy contracts in Abu Dhabi must be registered through the city’s official system, and there are administration charges linked to that registration and sometimes to the move-in process.
4. Utilities and services
   • Electricity, water, internet, and cooling bills will vary by building type and personal usage.
   • Service charges are paid by the owner, but in practice, they can influence the rent level set by the landlord.

Understanding these items in advance helps avoid surprises on the day you sign your contract.

7️⃣ 🧮 Sample budgets for different income levels

The numbers below are not predictions; they simply combine current market ranges into realistic examples using recent rent data:

1. Single professional on a mid-range salary
   • Likely to look at a studio or one-bedroom unit in a more affordable community, such as parts of Khalifa City or older towers on the main island.
   • Budget example
     • Annual rent: AED 45,000 to AED 70,000
     • Security deposit at five percent: AED 2,250 to AED 3,500
     • One-time agency fee: often similar to one month of rent
2. Young couple or small family
   • Often focus on one or two bedroom homes in Al Reem Island, Al Raha Beach, or well-connected mainland districts.
   • Budget example
     • Annual rent: AED 80,000 to AED 130,000
     • Upfront total, including deposit and agency fee, can reach AED 90,000 to AED 145,000 for the first year.
3. Family seeking a three-bedroom apartment in a prime area
   • Likely to view Corniche, Saadiyat Island, or the premium parts of Al Reem Island.
   • Budget example
     • Annual rent: AED 160,000 to AED 190,000 or more, depending on view and building age.
     • First-year cost, including deposit and fees, may cross AED 180,000.

These illustrations show why careful planning is essential before committing to a lease.

8️⃣ ✅ Final thoughts before you sign a lease

In 2025, choosing to rent an apartment in Abu Dhabi is a major financial step, so tenants need reliable numbers on current prices, recent increases, and typical fees. Verified reports from government-linked portals, market consultancies, and leading property platforms all confirm that average rents have risen noticeably over the last year, especially in popular waterfront and community-style districts. When you plan to rent an apartment in Abu Dhabi, you should always compare up-to-date data for your preferred areas instead of relying on older listings or informal estimates.

Before you rent an apartment in Abu Dhabi, calculate your full first-year budget, including security deposit, agency commission, registration charges, utilities, and any extra services tied to building amenities. Then match that budget to realistic rent ranges for studios, one-bedroom, two-bedroom, and three-bedroom homes in the communities that fit your lifestyle. Families who rent an apartment in Abu Dhabi may prioritise schools, parks, and beach access, while single professionals who rent an apartment in Abu Dhabi might focus more on commute time and shared facilities. Whatever your profile, treat every viewing as a chance to check maintenance standards and ask clear questions about inclusions, because this is the best way to rent an apartment in Abu Dhabi without surprises during the lease term.

If you take time to study the data, compare several buildings, and negotiate payment terms, you can rent an apartment in Abu Dhabi with confidence, and you can rent an apartment in Abu Dhabi in a location that truly supports your work, family life, and long-term plans.

📚 References

1. Bayut Abu Dhabi Rental Market Report H1 2025
2. Dubizzle Abu Dhabi H1 2025 Rental Market Report
3. Abu Dhabi Real Estate Centre market data portal
4. Consultancy ME summary of ValuStrat Abu Dhabi Real Estate Market 2025
5. ValuStrat Abu Dhabi Property Prices Q1 2025
6. Khaleej Times: Abu Dhabi rents surge up to 12 percent in 2025
7. Khaleej Times: Abu Dhabi housing prices surge amid supply crunch
8. Gulf News: Abu Dhabi rents soar, home prices steady
9. Sands of Wealth: Average apartment rent in Abu Dhabi
10. Bayut community-level rent data for Al Reem Island

Also Read: Cost of Living in Abu Dhabi in 2025 Affordable or Expensive The Ultimate Guide for Expats and Families