Topping the list is International City, a low-rise, rustic-themed complex covering over 800 hectares. Developed by Nakheel, International City offers the cheapest options for budget-conscious tenants.     

A one-bedroom flat in International City rents for around Dhs35,000 ($9,500) per year, less than half the cost of renting a similar unit in Business Bay.    

The community is located approximately 14 kilometres from the Dubai Mall and close to Dragon Supermarket.

Although this location is best suited to tenants with cars as it has no direct access to the Dubai Metro, commuters can be served by buses from the Rashidiya bus station to Al Warsan 3.

The average rent for a one bedroom flat is Dhs35,000 and is best suited to tenants working in the Dubai Outsourcing District, Academic City and neighbouring areas.     

The second cheapest neighbourhood to rent in Dubai is Discovery Gardens. Discovery Gardens is a residential development of low-rise buildings interspersed with trees and green spaces, accessible via the Dubai Metro.

It is just a few stops away from the Dubai Expo 2020 venue and Dubai Marina, making it one of the most cost effective options for tenants who do not drive.    

The rent for a one-bedroom flat allows tenants to pay just over Dhs40,000 per annum, which is approximately half the rental cost of Dubai Marina, The Green and The View.  

The average rent for a one-bedroom flat is Dhs42,500 and is best suited to residents working in Jebel Ali, Dubai Marina, Dubai Media City/Internet City, Tecom, Dubai Expo City (formerly Expo 2020), Dubai Multimedia Merchandise Centre or Jumeirah Lake Towers.    

For tenants looking to save money, the third cheapest place to live is Deira, the oldest business district in the emirate.

As of the end of 2022, the annual rent for a one-bedroom flat in Deira is around Dh45,000, half the average rent of Jumeirah Beach Residential (JBR) and Sheikh Zayed Road.   

Deira is a favourite destination for tourists due to its gold and spice souks and is easily accessible by bus and the Dubai Metro, which has several stations including Union, Rigga and Deira City Centre.     

The average rent for a one bedroom flat is Dhs45,000 and is best suited for tenants working in DIFC, Dubai World Trade Centre, Dubai Airport Freezone, Sheikh Zayed Road, Fort Dubai, Al Diyafah, Karama, Port Said, Downtown Dubai and neighbouring areas     

In fourth place is Dubai Sports City, which features villas and flats, as well as leisure and entertainment facilities.

Located approximately 14 kilometres from the Mall of the Emirates, this community is home to the International Cricket Stadium and is attractive to singles and families as well as sports enthusiasts.    

However, as with International City, this community is best suited to tenants with cars. The average rent for a one-bedroom flat in Dubai Sports City is less than Dhs50,000 per year, which is considerably cheaper than flats in JBR and Sheikh Zayed Road.    

The average rent for a one bedroom flat is Dhs45,000 and is best suited for tenants working in Tecom/Barsha Heights, Al Barsha, The Greens/Views, Dubai Internet City, Dubai Media City, Dubai Investment Park, Dubai Marina, JLT, DMCC .    

This family friendly gated community is located on the north side of Dubai, approximately 26km from Dubai Mall, and features flat blocks, small villas and townhouses. It is approximately 22 minutes drive to the Palm Jumeirah and 35 minutes to the Dubai World Trade Centre and Dubai International Airport.

According to Bayut, it has more than nine community parks, five tennis courts, several basketball courts and more than 13,000 residential properties. Residents have direct access to Al Khail Road (E44) and Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road (E311).

The average price of a one bedroom flat is AED 47,500 and is best suited to tenants working in Dubai Production City, Dubai Investment Park, Jumeirah Lake Towers/DMCC, Dubai Internet City, TECOM, Media City, Dubai Marina and other neighbouring areas.