Districtديرة
Deira
The historic trading heart north of the Creek: souks, the Gold Souk, dense older blocks, two metro lines and the cheapest central rents in Dubai. Deira Islands adds a new waterfront.
heritageaffordabledensemetro
8.8
1BR rentReport
AED 50k/yr
Bayut annual / quarterly market reports · 2025-06
Sale priceEstimate
AED 900/sqft
Editorial estimate · 2025-06
Price trend (YoY)Estimate
+8%
Editorial estimate · 2025-06
Commute to hubEditorial
20 min
Where to Live editorial assessment · 2025-10
Top-rated schoolsOfficial
2
KHDA school inspection ratings · 2025
PopulationEstimate
250,000
Editorial estimate · 2024
All data
Estimate 7Report 3Official 6Editorial 10— hover a row for the note; the methodology page explains each kind.
People & place
| Population | 250,000 | Estimate | Editorial estimate · 2024 |
| Area | 25 km² | Estimate | Editorial estimate · 2023 |
| Ownership | Mixed | Official | Dubai Law No. 7 of 2006 and freehold area regulations · 2025 |
Renting
| Studio rent | AED 35k/yr | Report | Bayut annual / quarterly market reports · 2025-06 |
| 1BR rent | AED 50k/yr | Report | Bayut annual / quarterly market reports · 2025-06 |
| 2BR rent | AED 70k/yr | Report | Bayut annual / quarterly market reports · 2025-06 |
| Cost of living | AED 3,600/mo | Estimate | Editorial estimate · 2025-09 |
Buying
| Sale price | AED 900/sqft | Estimate | Editorial estimate · 2025-06 |
| Price trend (YoY) | +8% | Estimate | Editorial estimate · 2025-06 |
| Gross yield | 7.5% | Estimate | Editorial estimate · 2025-06 |
| Service charge | AED 8/sqft | Estimate | Editorial estimate · 2025 |
Getting around
| Metro / tram | Yes | Official | RTA Dubai Metro / Tram network · 2025 |
| Commute to hub | 20 min | Editorial | Where to Live editorial assessment · 2025-10 |
| Traffic | 4/5 | Editorial | Where to Live editorial assessment · 2025-10 |
| Jobs access | 5/5 | Editorial | Where to Live editorial assessment · 2025-10 |
| Walkability | 4/5 | Editorial | Where to Live editorial assessment · 2025-10 |
Schools & health
| Schools nearby | 20 | Official | KHDA school inspection ratings · 2025 |
| Top-rated schools | 2 | Official | KHDA school inspection ratings · 2025 |
| Hospitals | 6 | Official | Dubai Health Authority facility directory · 2025 |
Environment
| Beach | 1/5 | Editorial | Where to Live editorial assessment · 2025-10 |
| Parks | 2/5 | Editorial | Where to Live editorial assessment · 2025-10 |
| Noise | 5/5 | Editorial | Where to Live editorial assessment · 2025-10 |
| Density | 5/5 | Editorial | Where to Live editorial assessment · 2025-10 |
| Safety | 4/5 | Editorial | Where to Live editorial assessment · 2025-10 |
| August high | 41 °C | Official | National Center of Meteorology climate normals · 2024 |
| Humidity | 4/5 | Editorial | Where to Live editorial assessment · 2025-10 |
Pros & cons
- +Cheapest rents in central Dubai
- +Metro Red and Green lines, airport 10 minutes
- +Authentic city life, best Indian and Iranian food
- −Dense, noisy, ageing buildings
- −Parking is a daily problem
- −Few parks; little green space
Residents say
Long-time residents love the character; newcomers often move after a year unless the price matters most. Deira Islands and the renovated Gold Souk area are changing the north edge.
Expat communities: Indian, Pakistani, Iranian, Filipino, African, Chinese (editorial, largest first)