Can Dubai rival the world's top property markets? 62% of surveyed residents believe it already does, or will within five years

Dubai's growth has drawn buyers from around the world. But how do the people who live here see the city's future? Can it stand alongside the world's established property markets, or does it need more time? The betterhomes Future Living Report 2026 offers an interesting glimpse into how residents see the city's future. It found that 45% of respondents expect Dubai to rank among the world's leading property markets within five years. A further 18% believe it already does, bringing the total to 62%. 38% said it was too early to tell. Most respondents are positive, even if they see the timing differently.

Key takeaways

• 62% of respondents believe Dubai already rivals leading property markets or could reach that level within five years.
• 57% of owners are satisfied with developer quality and delivery.
• Service charges and maintenance costs were the main property challenge for 62% of owners.
• 65% of respondents with international property holdings said those assets had not outperformed their Dubai properties.

What do residents think about Dubai’s global standing?

Participants were asked whether Dubai already competes with leading property markets, could reach that level within five years, or needs more time to earn that recognition.

Here is how the responses break down.

Source: betterhomes Future Living Report 2026. Base: 1,714 respondents. Percentages are rounded.

The survey gathered resident opinions. Official rankings rely on measures such as property prices, investment returns and sales figures. The 38% who said it was too early to tell might simply want to see how the market develops before judging its position against prominent destinations such as London, New York or Singapore.

Note: The 2025 survey used different answer options for this question. The results cannot measure an exact change in residents' views.

What supports Dubai's international reputation?

Public opinion does not develop in isolation. Economic growth, construction activity and travel connections all shape how people view a city's prospects. Here is what official figures showed earlier in 2026.

Economic growth: Dubai's gross domestic product (GDP) reached AED 232 billion (USD 63.2 billion) in the first quarter of 2026, according to Digital Dubai and the Dubai Data and Statistics Establishment. The economy grew 2.4% in real terms, driven by wholesale and retail trade. Economic activity gives residents and businesses a practical reason to keep an eye on the city's future.

Construction activity: Dubai's construction sector grew by 8.2% year on year during the same quarter. New projects are easy to spot across the city, but completed buildings and their quality better reflect what buyers actually receive.

Travel and connectivity: Dubai International Airport (DXB) experienced a sharp fall in passenger traffic during regional airspace disruptions. However, according to Dubai Airports, passenger numbers doubled between March and June 2026, from 2.5 million to 5 million a month. This recovery came just as the survey began in June 2026.

Population growth: Dubai's resident population reached 4.78 million by early September 2026. Roughly 200,000 residents arrived during the first eight months of the year, a 4.4% rise, according to the Dubai Statistics Centre. More residents means more demand for homes to rent and buy.

How does Dubai compare with overseas property investments?

Residents who own homes abroad also judge Dubai by how their property investments perform. The betterhomes report asked owners with property in Dubai and overseas to assess how their international holdings had performed against their Dubai properties.

Among the owners who hold property in both:

• 65% said their overseas property investments had not outperformed their Dubai holdings.
• 35% reported better performance from their international assets.

These figures reflect owners' personal views. They are not a financial assessment of every property in Dubai or overseas. Even so, they offer insight into how respondents regard their Dubai investments. The report also found that 75% of existing homeowners bought their properties for long-term residence, while 58% saw Dubai as an essential long-term investment opportunity.

Dubai Marina vs. Dubai South case study

Dubai Marina is one of the most commonly owned communities among survey respondents. Approximately 10% of property owners in the sample owned a home there. Yet official Dubai Land Department (DLD) records for Q2 2026 show a much smaller share of sales.

• Dubai Marina (a developed residential area): accounted for just 1.7% of all residential unit sales in Dubai during Q2 2026. Only 19% of recorded sales were off-plan, which is the lowest off-plan share of the communities tracked. Much of Dubai Marina is already developed, so sales activity relies on buyers looking for apartments for sale in Dubai Marina within the secondary market rather than new project launches.
• Dubai South (a new development cluster): accounted for 15.5% of all registered unit sales in Q2 2026, with 96% of those transactions involving off-plan properties.

The contrast between the two areas shows that a low share of total transactions does not signal weak buyer interest. In a mature community, owners may keep their homes for years, whereas areas with many new launches see higher sales volumes as developers in Dubai release fresh inventory.

What will shape Dubai's position over the next five years?

Meeting the expectations of the 45% who believe Dubai will reach the level of leading property markets within five years will take steady work. The betterhomes report highlights several practical areas to watch.

Building quality and delivery: 57% of owners said they were satisfied with developer quality and delivery, while 33% expressed a neutral opinion. Winning over that neutral third comes down to consistent build quality and fixing defects quickly after handover.

Larger homes for resident buyers: The report found that 35% of tenants planning to buy a home in Dubai wanted three bedrooms. 23% wanted four bedrooms or more. These responses suggest buyers planning to live in Dubai prefer larger family homes.

The cost of ownership: 62% of owners pointed to high service charges, maintenance expenses or both as their main property challenge. These recurring bills can affect household budgets long after purchase. Easier-to-understand fees would help owners plan for housing costs in Dubai.

These figures give developers a sense of what residents expect from the market. New projects can attract buyers, but the post-handover experience also shapes how people feel about their property. Good construction and manageable running costs matter just as much as new launches.

What buyers and investors should keep in mind

A positive reputation can make Dubai an attractive place to buy, but you need current transaction figures to judge whether a particular property makes financial sense.

If you are buying a home to live in: Choose a home that suits your everyday needs and your budget. The right location can make daily life easier for years to come.

If you are buying an investment property: Check the expected rental income, recent sale prices, and ongoing maintenance costs. Think about the risks associated with the specific building and location.

If you are purchasing off-plan: Before committing to off-plan projects in the UAE, review the payment schedule, confirm the expected handover date, and understand all financial obligations in advance. Track the developer's previous projects for evidence of construction quality and how they handle defects after residents receive their keys.

Note: The betterhomes survey did not rank individual developers. You need to check each company's record separately.

Property advice needs to reflect the details of a specific apartment or villa, not just the city's reputation. At betterhomes, we use the survey to understand how residents see Dubai's future, and completed sales data to track how the market is actually performing.

Conclusion

The betterhomes Future Living Report 2026 suggests that many residents believe Dubai can compete with the world's leading property markets. Around 45% expect the city to reach that level within five years, and 18% believe it has already done so. The 38% who said it was too early to tell show that residents have different views about the city's future. Economic growth and population increases help explain Dubai's development. Figures on service charges and home quality point to issues that still need attention. Buyers and investors can use the report as a starting point, then check recent sales and the actual costs of a property they have in mind. Dubai's reputation can spark interest, but the property must fit the buyer's needs and budget.

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