Apartment values in Abu Dhabi rose 24% in the year to the end of September 2026, according to property consultancy ValuStrat's third-quarter review. Villa values rose 10.2% over the same period, taking growth across the residential market to 16.8%.
The figures track the value of freehold homes in the secondary market, so they reflect what existing homes are worth rather than advertised asking prices. The review was reported by The National on 29 October.
01Where values rose most
| Area | Home type | Annual change to Q3 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Al Reef | Apartments | +36.6% |
| Al Reef | Villas | +26.8% |
| Al Bandar (Al Raha Beach) | Apartments | +24.7% |
| Al Muneera Island (Al Raha Beach) | Apartments | +24.4% |
| Al Reem Island | Apartments | +22.0% |
| Saadiyat Island | Villas | +9.9% |
| Hydra Village | Villas | +2.9% |
ValuStrat Q3 2026 Abu Dhabi review, as reported by The National on 29 October 2026.
Al Reef, on the road between the city and the airport, was the strongest performer for both apartments and villas. Waterfront districts at Al Raha Beach and Al Reem Island followed close behind.
Haider Tuaima, who leads real estate research at ValuStrat, said residential growth gathered pace in the quarter and that apartments led the rise.
02Rents held steady
Average apartment rents rose 1.5% over the year to about AED 121,500, and villa rents rose 1.8% to about AED 258,000. Rents were flat compared with the second quarter.
Abu Dhabi set a temporary 0% cap on rent increases from 2 June 2026, replacing the previous 5% annual limit. It covers residential, commercial and industrial property and stays in place until further notice.
03New supply
About 13,534 new homes are due for completion in Abu Dhabi in 2026, and 3,508 had been completed by the end of September. ValuStrat counts 40,510 homes scheduled for delivery by 2030.
04What it means if you are buying off-plan
Values and rents are moving at different speeds. With apartment values up 24% and rents close to flat, gross yields on newly bought homes are lower than a year ago. Base your income sums on current rents, which cannot rise while the freeze is in place.
The waterfront districts lead the apartment market. Off-plan options on Al Reem Island include The District by Reportage and Marlin Icon. At Al Raha Beach, Baia by Reportage offers canal-front townhouses.
Villas grew more slowly. Saadiyat villas rose just under 10%, a steadier pace than the apartment market. Homes in the Saadiyat Cultural District include The Row Saadiyat by Aldar.
For asking prices in the same quarter, read Abu Dhabi apartment asking prices rise up to 9.2% in Q3 2026. For sales volumes, read Abu Dhabi Q3 2026: off-plan was 81% of home sales.
ProjectsProjects in this story.
SourcesWhere this story comes from.
Sources
- The National: Abu Dhabi apartment prices rise 24 per cent in third quarter, 29 October 2026
Corrections
- No corrections to this story. If something has changed or is wrong, tell us and we will correct it and log the change here.
30 Oct 2026, 06:31 GST · Reported by OffPlan Insider Newsdesk, checked against the developer's own material before publication.
