Dubai Airbnb arbitrage guide (2024)
Short-term rentals in Dubai average $257 per night at 51.7% occupancy across 3 sampled comps. That puts a typical 2-bedroom unit at roughly $4,309 in net booking revenue per month before rent.
Avg. nightly rate
$257
Market occupancy
51.7%
Breakeven occupancy (2BR)
35.9%
| Unit size | Nightly rate | Net revenue / mo | Operating costs | Max rent | Target rent | Cashflow |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 bed | $223 | $3,798 | $818 | $2,980 | $1,937 | $1,043 |
| 2 bed | $257 | $4,309 | $818 | $3,490 | $2,269 | $1,222 |
| 3 bed | $295 | $4,896 | $818 | $4,078 | $2,651 | $1,427 |
Assumes 3% platform fees, $75 guest cleaning fee, $55 cleaning cost per turn, ~3-night average stays, and $530/mo of utilities, insurance, supplies and misc. All figures in USD.
1. Filter long-term listings in Dubai under $2,269/mo for a 2-bedroom, and confirm the landlord allows sublet or corporate-style short-term hosting in writing.
2. Pressure-test occupancy. You need 35.9% just to break even, versus the 51.7% market average — thin markets punish weak listings.
3. Budget furnishing before you sign. Use the furnishing estimator to price a full fit-out for United Arab Emirates including tax and shipping.
4. Track every purchase for tax season in the expense tracker, and keep your underwriting in the deal vault so you can compare units side by side.