Ajman, the smallest of the UAE’s emirates, is witnessing remarkable expansion in its property market, driven by the steady rise in tourism and population growth.Data from Bayut reveals that during the first half of 2025, real estate transactions in Ajman reached a total value of AED 12.4 billion.This marks a 37% rise from the corresponding …
“Ajman on the Rise: The Real Estate Factors Attracting Residents to the UAE’s Smallest Emirate”
Ajman, the smallest of the UAE’s emirates, is witnessing remarkable expansion in its property market, driven by the steady rise in tourism and population growth.
Data from Bayut reveals that during the first half of 2025, real estate transactions in Ajman reached a total value of AED 12.4 billion.
This marks a 37% rise from the corresponding period in 2024. The Ajman Department of Land and Real Estate Regulation reported a total of 8,872 transactions, comprising 7,306 sale deals valued at over AED 8.4 billion.
Leading the way in sales was the upscale Al Zahia community, which recorded the highest single transaction at AED 50 million. The emirate’s property market has been steadily gaining momentum since last year, particularly in sought-after areas such as Al Rashidiya and Ajman Downtown, where prices have seen notable jumps.
According to the January 2024 annual report, apartment prices per square foot rose significantly across several key districts — between 6% and 48% — a trend driven by rising demand and an expanding property inventory.
The villa market mirrored this positive performance, with growing supply and heightened buyer interest fueling substantial gains. Bayut reported that sales prices for villas in Ajman’s prime neighborhoods climbed by 7% to 65% on average per square foot.
Similarly, ValuStrat’s 2024 annual report, released in January, highlighted the same optimistic outlook for the small coastal emirate, noting that Ajman continued to post strong real estate transaction figures and solid growth compared to 2023.
In August alone, the Department of Land and Real Estate Regulation reported that property transactions totalled Dh414.2 million across 155 deals, involving both domestic and international buyers. Residential properties led the way, contributing around Dh168 million of the total.
Communities designed for families continued to be the main drivers of demand, with Al Rashidiya, Al Nuaimiya, Al Yasmeen, and Al Zahya standing out as popular choices among investors and residents.
According to Cherif Sleiman, Chief Revenue Officer at Property Finder, buyer searches surged by 45% year-on-year, nearly quadrupling the growth rate of rental searches — a sign of a long-term market shift rather than a temporary trend.
“The attractiveness of Ajman stems from its affordability and convenience,” Sleiman explained. “While prices remain lower than in Dubai or Abu Dhabi, the emirate continues to strengthen its lifestyle offerings and infrastructure. Developers have also boosted housing supply by 126% year-on-year, catering to real end-user needs instead of speculation. This mix of affordability, availability, and confidence is driving unprecedented online engagement, with property searches up 137% since 2021.”
With its lower entry costs, solid rental returns, and a market still in its early growth phase, Ajman presents a promising investment destination for both local and international buyers.
“While Dubai continues to set the standard for liquidity and luxury in the UAE, emerging areas in Ajman such as Ain Ajman, Al Jurf Industrial, and Al Raqaib are experiencing remarkable price growth, with annual increases ranging from 60% to 78%,” Sleiman noted. “Ajman’s close proximity to Dubai, combined with enhanced transport links, makes it an attractive option for hybrid investors looking for both residential use and rental income potential.”
Several other factors are driving the emirate’s development. Mahmood Khaleel Alhashmi, Director-General of the Ajman Tourism Development Department, highlighted that “Ajman has significantly expanded its tourism sector in recent years, generating more than Dh547 million in tourist revenue last year.” The emirate also saw an 8% rise in tourist arrivals, welcoming over 658,356 visitors in 2024.
Ajman’s profile as a tourist and residential destination has been strengthened by a wider variety of hotels and leisure options. Its eastern region near the Fujairah border provides visitors with opportunities for nature-based and adventure activities, complementing the emirate’s coastal attractions.
Currently, Ajman hosts 52 hotels offering a total of 4,315 rooms of various sizes and styles, capable of accommodating a growing number of visitors.
“Ajman has also become an attractive destination for real estate investment thanks to competitive property prices and high-quality developments equipped with modern amenities,” said Alhashmi. “The combined growth of tourism and real estate is driving the emirate’s expansion, drawing investments from around the world.”
The rising population in Ajman is also reflected in its higher education sector. Dr. Karim Seghir, Chancellor of Ajman University, noted that student enrollment has grown significantly over the past ten years. Last year, the university recorded its highest intake ever, welcoming students from more than 70 countries.
The emirate’s affordable rental market is increasingly attracting residents. British expat Sally Wise, who has lived in Dubai for eight years, plans to relocate north due to escalating rents.
Infrastructure improvements have further boosted investor confidence. Upgraded road links connecting Ajman with Sharjah and Dubai have made commuting more practical. “The roads, especially the 311 and 611, make getting to Dubai very convenient,” Wise said. Her rent in Business Bay rose from Dh140,000 to Dh180,000 this year, making relocation a sensible choice.
Ajman’s authorities are also modernizing real estate regulations, which has enhanced buyer confidence and streamlined property transactions.
“I can live by the sea in Ajman, and with prices rising elsewhere, I don’t see this trend changing anytime soon,” Wise added. “More people will need to consider relocating if they want to remain in the UAE.”
She added that she prefers the quieter, slower-paced lifestyle by the beach, which is unattainable in Dubai, and finds it a better fit than areas near her work in Deira or Sharjah.
Data from Bayut shows that rents for a two-bedroom apartment on Ajman Corniche have increased by 2% to Dh50,000 per year, significantly lower than comparable beachfront properties in Dubai, where the average annual rent for a two-bedroom apartment is Dh169,454.
According to Hamptons International, Ajman and the other northern emirates are now drawing buyers away from Dubai and Abu Dhabi, as investors and end-users diversify their property portfolios.
“Ajman’s attractiveness stems from its affordable pricing, convenient access, and relaxed coastal lifestyle,” the firm’s H1 report noted. “These factors continue to drive steady demand, particularly among value-conscious investors and buyers seeking practical alternatives to larger cities nearby.”
The report highlighted that Ajman’s freehold areas, including Emirates City and Ajman Corniche, remain popular with both local and international buyers. “Prices are still among the lowest in the country, with some apartments available for very low per-square-foot rates. This makes Ajman appealing to investors seeking strong rental yields, which can reach 8–10% gross in select developments,” the report added.
