Our latest episode explains why the Palm still costs more than anywhere else in Dubai. These are the figures that sit around that story.
Still the top of the market
Knight Frank’s Q3 2026 data, reported by Khaleej Times on 21 October, puts Palm Jumeirah at the head of Dubai’s luxury segment again. The island recorded 27 of the city’s 86 sales above $10 million, worth AED 2.01 billion, plus the quarter’s largest single deal at AED 260 million.
Prices, though, are adjusting. On Knight Frank’s measure, Palm values eased 9.1% over 12 months to AED 4,083 per sq ft, and island sales volumes are down 37% from last summer. Knight Frank’s Louis Harding said buyers are mainly after permanent or holiday homes rather than quick resales, and described the Palm as "increasingly offering ‘good value’".
Rents moved first
Property Finder data, reported by Gulf Business, showed rents on the Palm, Downtown and Jumeirah Lake Towers down around 15% between early 2026 and April, against a Dubai average of 6.7%. For anyone buying to let, the rent assumption now matters as much as the entry price.
Palm Jebel Ali, in numbers
According to The National, the new island is twice the size of Palm Jumeirah, with 16 fronds, more than 90 km of beachfront, and space for 35,000 families and 80 hotels and resorts. In April 2026 Nakheel awarded AED 3.5 billion in contracts for 544 villas, due by the end of 2028. The original Palm, by comparison, is already home to around 25,000 residents, according to Nakheel.
What buyers pay on top
4% DLD registration fee, paid by the buyer. On an AED 10 million villa, that is AED 400,000.
AED 2 million is the property threshold for the UAE Golden visa, a level most Palm homes clear.
Watch the full story
Why the Palm holds its premium, what could change that, and who should actually be buying there: we cover it all in the episode. Press play below for the full breakdown.
General information, not financial or legal advice.
Sources
Khaleej Times (Knight Frank Q3 2026): https://www.khaleejtimes.com/business/dubais-10-million-plus-home-sales-reach-86-in-q3-2026
Gulf Business (Property Finder rents): https://gulfbusiness.com/en/2026/real-estate/data-shows-dubai-property-values-falling-with-rents-under-pressure/
The National (Palm Jebel Ali): https://www.thenationalnews.com/business/property/2026/04/27/palm-jebel-ali-takes-shape-as-nakheel-awards-950m-in-contracts-for-new-villas/
Nakheel (Palm Jumeirah): https://www.nakheel.com/en/media-centre/blogs/detail/palm-jumeirah-by-nakheel-setting-the-global-standard-for-luxury-living-and-investment
Dubai Land Department (4% fee): https://dubailand.gov.ae/en/news-media/dld-calls-on-developers-to-pay-property-registration-fees-within-60-days
UAE Government portal (Golden visa): https://u.ae/en/information-and-services/visa-and-emirates-id/residence-visas/golden-visa
