In short
- Our managed units in Downtown and Business Bay: 1-bedrooms run at 80% occupancy, median AED 129,000 gross a year.
- Real ranges: studio AED 92,000 to 118,000, 1-bedroom AED 117,000 to 135,000, 2-bedroom AED 176,000 to 254,000.
- Method: gross revenue before management commission, P25 to P75 of managed units with at least 180 active nights, source Hostaway.
The real ranges from our managed units in Downtown Dubai and Business Bay, over 12 months.
The numbers, type by type
| Unit type | Annual range | Median | Occupancy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | AED 92,000–118,000 | AED 102,000 | 69% |
| 1 bedroom | AED 117,000–135,000 | AED 129,000 | 80% |
| 2 bedrooms | AED 176,000–254,000 | AED 221,000 | 76% |
What these numbers tell you
Downtown is Dubai's tourist heart (Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall, fountains, Opera). Business Bay extends it along the canal, more corporate, a notch cheaper to buy. Nights here are our most expensive, and stays are short.
The sweet spot: the 1-bedroom, 80% occupancy, the best in the district, median AED 129,000, booked all year by city-break couples and business travellers. Studios cap at 69% against hotels: only flawless ones (view, floor, furniture, photos) stand out.
2-bedrooms show the widest range in our portfolio, a +44% gap from bottom to top. Burj Khalifa or fountain view, floor, iconic building: here, the choice of unit at purchase weighs most.
A smaller sample than in JVC / Studio City, so more sensitive to each unit. Real, confirmed numbers, refined in an individual projection.
Frequently asked questions
How much does an apartment earn on Airbnb in Downtown Dubai?
Across our portfolio, over 12 months: studio AED 92,000–118,000 gross (median 102,000), 1-bedroom AED 117,000–135,000 (median 129,000), 2-bedroom AED 176,000–254,000 (median 221,000). Gross revenue, cleaning fees included, before management commission and charges.
Why is the 2-bedroom range so wide?
+44% from bottom to top: in Downtown, the view (Burj Khalifa, fountains, canal), the floor and the building's standing create huge nightly-rate gaps between two units of the same size. The choice of unit at purchase is decisive.
What occupancy in Downtown and Business Bay?
Across our portfolio: 69% for studios, 80% for 1-bedrooms (the area's sweet spot) and 76% for 2-bedrooms, over the trailing 12 months.
Is a Downtown studio worth it versus JVC?
Median AED 102,000 in Downtown versus AED 86,000 in JVC / Studio City, but a much higher purchase price and lower occupancy (69% versus 78%). On return on capital, JVC often wins; on absolute income and capital appreciation potential, Downtown keeps the edge.
Do these figures include expenses?
No. These are gross revenues, cleaning fees included, before management commission, platform commissions, DEWA, cooling, service charge and tourist dirham. Expect an owner net of roughly 45–50% of gross. The line-by-line breakdown is in our article on Dubai short-let apartment returns.