Hotels and holiday homes are priced for tourists. If you're staying a month or more, shared monthly housing is several times cheaper, usually with bills included and no yearly contract.
Cheapest options, from lowest cost
- [Bed space](/rent/bed-space): one bed in a shared room. The lowest rent in Dubai.
- [Partition](/rent/partitions): a small private space made with a partition wall. Privacy for a little more.
- [Sharing room](/rent/rooms): your own room in a shared flat.
- [Studio](/rent/studios): your own small flat, best value in International City and Sharjah.
Today's cheapest by area
| Area | From / month | Typical | Live |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deira, Dubai | AED 400 | AED 650 | 4 |
| Bur Dubai, Dubai | AED 500 | AED 700 | 5 |
| Al Barsha 1, Dubai | AED 500 | AED 650 | 3 |
| Al Nahda (Sharjah), Sharjah | AED 500 | AED 500 | 1 |
| Al Satwa, Dubai | AED 550 | AED 550 | 3 |
| Al Karama, Dubai | AED 550 | AED 550 | 1 |
| Al Qasimia (Sharjah), Dubai | AED 550 | AED 550 | 1 |
| Naif, Dubai | AED 600 | AED 600 | 1 |
| Port Saeed, Dubai | AED 600 | AED 600 | 1 |
| Al Raffa, Dubai | AED 700 | AED 700 | 1 |
Where cheap places cluster
- Central and on the metro: Deira, Al Karama, Bur Dubai, Al Rigga, Naif.
- Cheapest overall: International City (buses to the metro).
- Across the border: Al Nahda Sharjah, Al Taawun, Al Qasimia, with a longer commute.
Fully Furnished Studio (Family only)
Al Qasimia (Sharjah)
60% below the typical AED 4,500 · Bills included · No upfront fees
Unfurnished Studio (Male only)
Hor Al Anz · 8 min to Abu Hail
49% below the typical AED 4,500 · Bills included · 8 min to metro
Capsule Partition Room near Metro (Single only)
Al Mankhool · 12 min to ADCB (Al Karama)
43% below the typical AED 1,400 · Bills included · No upfront fees
Fully Furnished Room
Abu Shagara (Sharjah)
43% below the typical AED 3,500 · Bills included · No upfront fees
Loft Type Partition Room near Metro (Single or Couple only)
Al Barsha 1
35% below the typical AED 2,000 · Bills included · No deposit
Furnished Studio
Deira
40% below the typical AED 4,500 · Bills included · No upfront fees
Cheap, not unsafe
- Visit before paying anything.
- Ask how many people share the room and the bathroom.
- Get the deposit, notice period and bills in writing.
- Prefer listings checked by a platform, not a random group post.
Tell us what you need
Budget, area and move-in date. We'll WhatsApp you matching places, free.
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest place to stay in Dubai for a month?
A bed space in a shared room, usually with bills included. Partitions and sharing rooms cost a bit more for more privacy.
Which area in Dubai is cheapest to live in?
International City has the lowest rents; Deira, Karama and Bur Dubai are the cheapest central areas on the metro.