Should you buy in Masdar City?
Abu Dhabi's sustainable district by the airport: smaller, cheaper apartments with a strong tenant pool from the universities next door.
Masdar City suits buy-to-let investors on a smaller budget. One-bedroom apartments are advertised at under Dh1 million, with gross yields above 7.5%. [1] The trade-off is smaller homes and a district that's still being built.
What is Masdar City like?
A planned sustainable district near Zayed International Airport and Khalifa City, reached from the E10 and E20. [2] It's a designated investment zone, so foreigners can buy freehold. [2][3]
Universities next door
Khalifa University's Masdar City campus and MBZUAI, the AI university, plus the IRENA headquarters. [2]
Mostly apartments
Studios to three-bedrooms, with a few townhouses. [2]
Walkable
Shaded paths and cycle tracks, with My City Centre mall for everyday shopping. [2]
Built green
More than 11 MW of solar panels across the district. [2]
What does it cost to buy?
Average asking prices for apartments on Bayut in the first half of 2026: [1]
| Apartment | Average asking price |
|---|---|
| Studio | Dh801,000 |
| One bedroom | Dh979,000 |
| Two bedrooms | Dh1.47 million |
That's an average of Dh1,781 per square foot, with a gross yield of 7.63%. [1] Use the rental yield calculator to see what's left after service charges.
- Al Reef8.92%Dh895,000 average asking, one-bedroom
- Masdar City7.63%Dh979,000 average asking, one-bedroom
- Al Reem Island6.34%Dh1,690 per sq ft, average asking, apartments
- Yas Island5.94%Dh2,393 per sq ft, average asking, apartments
- Al Raha Beach5.72%Dh1,859 per sq ft, average asking, apartments
- Saadiyat Island3.51%Dh3,893 per sq ft, average asking, apartments
Who is Masdar City for?
First-time investors
A lower entry price than the islands, with high advertised yields.
Landlords
Students, researchers and staff from the universities and offices nearby.
Airport commuters
One of the closest communities to the airport.
What's the catch?
Read these before you sign anything.
Still under construction.
Building work brings noise and dust, and the district was first meant to be finished in 2016. [2]
Small homes.
Most units are studios to two-bedrooms, so it suits renters more than growing families. [2]
High yields need tenants.
A 7.6% gross yield assumes the flat is let all year. Budget for empty months.
What should you read next?
Three guides that follow on from this one.
See all guides
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