Dubai has emerged as one of the world’s major cities where residents need relatively fewer years of income to buy a home, according to the UBS Global Real Estate Bubble Index 2026.
The report estimates that residents in Dubai need around five years of average income to purchase a 60-square-metre apartment close to the city centre, placing it among the most affordable major cities in the ranking.
Miami and São Paulo follow at around six years of average income, while Madrid requires about seven years. New York rounds out the top five, with buyers needing around eight years of average income to purchase a similar-sized property.
The difference is much larger in several other major global cities. Buyers in Hong Kong need around 15 years of average income, while London requires approximately 11 years.
Tokyo, Paris and Seoul also require more than a decade of average income for a 60-square-metre apartment near the city centre.
The figures highlight the difference in housing affordability across major global markets. Dubai’s position in the ranking comes as the city continues to attract residents, investors and international buyers to its property market.
