Dubai Property ROI Compared to Global Cities | A Worldwide Investment Analysis

Why Dubai delivers stronger ROI than many global cities

Several structural factors explain why Dubai property investment ROI compares so favourably on a global scale.

Dubai remains a relatively young international property market, allowing it to grow faster than heavily regulated legacy cities. Established markets such as London or Paris are more mature, which naturally limits yield expansion.

Property prices per square metre in Dubai are often lower than in cities like London, New York, or Hong Kong, while rental demand remains strong. This relationship between price and rent pushes yields higher.

Dubai’s population growth is driven by skilled migration, business relocation, and long term residency visas, all of which underpin rental demand across multiple housing segments.

Tourism also plays a major role. Dubai’s year round tourism market supports short term rentals, serviced apartments, and branded residences, increasing income potential beyond traditional long lets.

ROI positioning by city

• Dubai positions itself as an income focused market with upside growth potential. It suits investors prioritising cash flow, tax efficiency, and lifestyle flexibility.
• London continues to appeal to investors seeking global liquidity and long term capital security, but income returns are typically lower and ownership costs higher.
• New York offers scale and depth of tenant demand, but taxes and operating costs can compress net ROI.
• Singapore and Hong Kong are widely viewed as capital preservation markets. Investors often accept lower yields in exchange for stability and regulatory certainty.
• Sydney and Paris attract lifestyle buyers and long term holders rather than yield focused investors.
• Toronto and selected North American cities can offer reasonable yields, but regulatory environments and affordability trends play a major role in real world performance.

What this means for overseas property investors

For investors searching for the best country to invest in property, Dubai continues to rank highly for ROI driven strategies. Its rental yields outperform most major global cities, and its tax environment enhances net returns for international buyers.

Mature global markets still play an important role in international portfolios, particularly for diversification and long term stability. However, they rarely compete with Dubai on income performance alone.

A balanced overseas property strategy often includes Dubai as the income generating core, supported by one or two established markets held for resilience and long term capital preservation.