Rising rents in Dubai push expats to Ajman's relatively cheaper homes

TL;DR:

• Driven by soaring rents in Dubai and Sharjah, Ajman experienced a 50% increase in lease contracts and AED 4.93 billion in rental transactions during 2024 making it an attractive budget alternative.
  
  
• Studios in Ajman now start at AED 22,000 annually, while one-bedrooms range from AED 25,000–34,000 as compared with AED 30,000+ in nearby emirates.
  
  
• Many rent-saving expats accept longer commutes (60–120 minutes daily), striking a balance between affordability, emerging infrastructure, and community lifestyle.
  
  
  

As the UAE grapples with record rental inflation, a growing number of budget-conscious expatriates are turning to Ajman, once overlooked, now resurging as a residential lifeline. In 2024, Ajman recorded a swift 50% surge in lease contracts, handling nearly AED 4.93 billion in rental deals which is a clear sign of shifting demographics. With studio prices rising to AED 22,000 (USD 5,991) and one-bedroom units fetching AED 25,000–34,000 (USD 6,807-USD 9,258), families and young professionals are making the tradeoffs: longer commutes for lower living costs, with many praising Ajman’s affordability, modern amenities, and growing investment in infrastructure. But can this northern emirate sustain the influx without stretching resources and what will commuting do to daily lives?

A Budget Anchor in a Rising-Rent Sea
Ajman municipality reports that Ajman’s lease contracts jumped 50% in 2024, up from AED 3.28 billion (USD 893 million) in 2022 to AED 4.93 billion (USD 1.342 billion) last year. That stems from sharp rental appreciation across Dubai and Sharjah where smaller flats saw 20%–30% rent hikes, pushing expats to Ajman. Bayut and Asteco data further confirm that studios start at AED 22K (up from AED 11K), with one-bedrooms averaging AED 25K–34K. These savings serve as powerful lures for budget-minded renters.

Infrastructure & Community Life on the Rise
Ajman Municipality rolled out new online systems for inhabitant services, streamlining rental registrations including over 100,000 residential contracts in 2024. Investors are building modern apartments, malls, restaurants, and parks drawing remote workers and families searching for quality on a budget. Locals note Ajman offers a community feel with amenities that match its urban neighbours plus a quiet that Dubai can’t offer.

Communities around DIFC and Sharjah report daily one-way trips from Ajman lasting 60–120 minutes especially during rush hour. Many commuting expats describe these longer hours as manageable for a higher quality living environment but warn against unpredictable traffic delays.

Demand Pressures & Cooling Rents Ahead
Notably, northern emirates like Ajman, Sharjah, and Ras Al Khaimah saw Q4 2024 rental growth of 4%–8% before levelling off around 3%. Sharjah alone saw 26% jump in rental agreements mid‑2024, driven by the Dubai spillover. While Ajman may have begun its own price climb, its rates remain significantly lower. Whether Ajman can sustain affordability while handling increased demand and how much longer rents will stay low—remains a critical question.
What’s Next for Ajman?
Ajman’s rise seems tied to its geographic advantage, close to major emirates yet relatively affordable. With infrastructure upgrades underway (bridge expansions, new roads), commute conditions may improve. Yet the emirate must continue to balance housing supply with amenities, transportation, and lifestyle offerings, or risk merely replicating Sharjah's inflationary cycle.


Ajman’s 50% lease contract boom in 2024 signals a northward shift by cost-conscious expats chasing affordability, community, and value. Studio and one-bedroom rents offer AED 8K–18K (USD 2,178-USD 4,912) savings per year, offsetting longer commutes of 60–120 minutes. With strategic infrastructure upgrades, Ajman could become a lasting, affordable alternative to Dubai and Sharjah.
Still, rising demand suggests rent levels may soon edge higher. For now, Ajman stands as a deliberate trade-off: cheaper living, justifying the commute.