For August 2026, Knownable's archived sample shows 365 recorded sales on Al Reem Island, 206 on Yas Island and 234 on Al Saadiyat Island. Their median recorded rates were approximately AED 1,762, AED 1,895 and AED 2,476 per built-up square foot respectively.
This is a comparison of three district samples during the same month. It is not a comparison of identical apartments, current listings, or rental returns. Keeping that distinction visible makes the numbers more useful.
Start with a consistent table
| District | Recorded sales | Median AED per built-up sqft |
|---|---|---|
| Al Reem Island | 365 | 1,762 |
| Yas Island | 206 | 1,895 |
| Al Saadiyat Island | 234 | 2,476 |
Source: Knownable's archived August data, captured September 6, 2026. The source rates retain decimals; this table rounds them for readability.
Saadiyat's recorded median exceeds Reem's by approximately AED 714 per square foot in this sample. That arithmetic describes the difference between two district medians. It does not measure a premium for a particular beach, school, developer, view or building specification.
Why a higher median is not a like-for-like premium
Imagine comparing two baskets of properties. One contains a greater share of large new homes; another contains more established apartments. Even if no individual property changes price, replacing some of the contents can change the basket's median.
The district table does not control for property type, new sales versus resales, building age, fit-out or view. It therefore cannot tell us how much more someone should pay to move an otherwise identical home from Reem to Saadiyat.
A useful next step is to compare similar units within each district. Keep the dates consistent and record whether the available samples actually support the comparison. If the data becomes too thin, widen the period transparently rather than quietly mixing unmatched evidence.
Counts add context, but do not measure selling speed
Reem has the largest count of these three district rows. That means more recorded sales in this sample and month. It does not prove that your Reem apartment would sell sooner than a Yas or Saadiyat home.
Selling speed requires information about the journey from marketing to agreement or completion. A monthly count provides neither the number of homes actively offered nor the time each took to sell. Avoid replacing those missing measurements with a confident label such as easy resale.
Build a shortlist using two separate questions
First ask what evidence exists for the kind of home you need. Second ask whether its daily use fits your household.
For the evidence question, make columns for building, unit type, size basis, date, recorded rate, and why each comparable was included. For the daily use question, record the actual entrance, parking arrangements, destination routes, outdoor access and the layout you inspected.
Keeping those worksheets separate prevents an attractive lifestyle feature from becoming an unsupported price adjustment. It also prevents a district average from deciding a question that only a building visit can answer.
What to request before choosing
Ask for the precise project and building identifiers used in the comparison. Confirm the area definition behind any quoted rate. Request dated, attributable evidence rather than a screenshot without filters.
If the decision involves rental income, obtain separate rental evidence and the relevant costs. The sale medians above cannot establish a rental return. If someone supplies a percentage based on them, ask for the missing rent inputs and assumptions.
The district comparison tool can help explore available evidence; the August report preserves this historical edition. Use the ADREC data service as an official reference point for available market measures. This is general market information, not investment advice.