Dubai Rent Affordability Calculator 2026
How much rent your income supports in Dubai at the 30% guideline, the per-cheque amount, 5% security deposit, agency commission with VAT, Ejari and DEWA deposits, the 5% housing fee and the cash you need to move in.
| Rent checked | — |
|---|---|
| Share of income | — |
| Per cheque | — |
| Security deposit | — |
| Agency commission (+5% VAT) | — |
| Ejari + DEWA/chiller deposit | — |
| Cash needed to move in | — |
| Housing fee via DEWA (5%) | — |
| True monthly housing cost | — |
In short
The usual Dubai guideline is rent at 25–35% of gross household income — AED 90,000 a year on AED 25,000 a month at 30% — but moving in needs far more cash: the first cheque, a 5% security deposit (10% furnished), about 5% agency commission plus VAT, AED 220 Ejari and DEWA deposits, roughly AED 34,000 on that rent, plus a 5% Municipality housing fee billed monthly through DEWA.
Who this is for: New arrivals and movers in Dubai working out how much rent their salary supports, how many cheques to offer and how much cash to keep aside for the deposit, agency, Ejari and DEWA on day one.
How much rent you can afford in Dubai
The usual guideline is to keep rent at 25–35% of gross household income; at 30%, an income of AED 25,000 a month supports AED 90,000 a year. The calculator turns that into an annual figure, then shows the cash you need on day one, which in Dubai is far more than a month's rent: the first cheque (the whole year if you pay in one cheque), a refundable security deposit of 5% (10% furnished), the agent's commission of about 5% + VAT, the Ejari registration fee of AED 220 and the DEWA and chiller deposits.
The true monthly cost also includes the 5% Dubai Municipality housing fee, billed through DEWA in twelve instalments, and the commission spread over the year. Fewer cheques usually buy a lower rent; more cheques smooth cash flow. On renewal, increases are limited by the RERA rental index.
See also: Dubai RERA Rent Increase Calculator, Dubai Rent vs Buy Calculator, Dubai Cost of Living Calculator.
Assumptions
- Affordable rent = monthly income × 12 × the share you choose (25–35%).
- Security deposit 5% unfurnished / 10% furnished; agency commission at the rate entered plus 5% VAT; Ejari AED 220.
- Housing fee 5% of annual rent billed through DEWA over 12 months; utilities and chiller usage excluded.
- Cash to move in = first cheque + deposit + agency + Ejari + DEWA/chiller deposit + moving costs.
Worked example
Affordable rent at 30% = AED 90,000 a year (AED 7,500 a month). Move-in cash: first cheque AED 22,500 + deposit AED 4,500 + agency AED 4,725 + Ejari AED 220 + DEWA deposit AED 2,000 = AED 33,945. Housing fee AED 4,500 a year (AED 375 a month), so the true monthly housing cost is about AED 8,269 before utilities.
Frequently asked questions
What percentage of salary should rent be in Dubai?
25–35% of gross income is the common guideline; 30% is the figure most banks and relocation advisers use.
How many cheques is normal?
One to four. Landlords prefer one cheque and often discount for it; four or twelve cheques are increasingly common but may cost more.
What is the security deposit?
Customarily 5% of annual rent for unfurnished and 10% for furnished property, refundable at the end of the lease less any damage.
What is the housing fee on my DEWA bill?
A Dubai Municipality fee of 5% of your annual rent, split into twelve monthly amounts and collected with electricity and water.
Who pays the agent?
The tenant, typically 5% of the annual rent plus 5% VAT, unless renting directly from the landlord or a developer's leasing team.
Is Ejari mandatory?
Yes — every Dubai tenancy must be registered on Ejari (AED 220) to be valid, connect DEWA and sponsor family visas.
Can the landlord raise the rent each year?
Only within the RERA rental index bands and with 90 days' notice; increases are capped at 5–20% depending on how far below market the current rent is.
Is the deposit refundable?
Yes, at the end of the lease less documented damage beyond normal wear; non-return can be disputed at the Rental Dispute Centre.
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