Al Barsha: homes beside Mall of the Emirates, and what they cost

Al Barsha is the Dubai district that grew up around a shopping mall. A one-bedroom flat here is advertised at an average of AED 74,998 a year, according to Property Finder data for June 2026, and the Red Line Metro runs along its edge. Al Barsha had 1,248 residents in 2000 and about 181,310 in 2023, says the Dubai Statistics Center, as quoted by Wikipedia.

How much does a home in Al Barsha cost?

A registered price per sq ft for Al Barsha isn’t published yet. The Dubai Land Department (DLD) sales table behind our price index has no row for Al Barsha as a whole. Barsha Heights is listed separately as a different community, so we do not borrow its number. We would rather leave a gap than give you a guess.

For a rough guide, the broker Betterhomes lists average sale prices for Al Barsha in an area guide published on 19 March 2026: AED 785,000 for a studio, AED 1,081,000 for a one-bedroom and AED 1,637,000 for a two-bedroom. The guide does not say where the figures come from. They cover all of Al Barsha, and they are not registered DLD prices, so read them as a starting point only.

What is the rent in Al Barsha?

The average advertised rent for a one-bedroom is AED 74,998 a year. This is Property Finder’s June 2026 Community Insights figure, based on listings, and it was reported by Gulf Business on 10 August 2026. It is a listing price, not a registered lease, so what tenants actually sign can differ. We rate our confidence in this figure as low because it is the only rent number we could find for the area. Check the DLD Rental Index for your building before you negotiate.

What do you get for your money?

Home	Average sale price (Betterhomes guide, Mar 2026)
Studio	AED 785,000
1-bed	AED 1,081,000
2-bed	AED 1,637,000

The same guide lists villas too, from about AED 5.2 million for three bedrooms. Al Barsha is a mix: apartment blocks near Sheikh Zayed Road, family villas in Al Barsha 2 and 3, and newer projects in Barsha South.

Can foreigners buy in Al Barsha?

It depends on the sub-area, and sources disagree. Al Barsha is divided into five parts: Al Barsha 1, 2, 3, Al Barsha South and Barsha Heights. Betterhomes says most of Al Barsha is non-freehold and names Al Barsha South as a key exception. The fäm Properties freehold list, last reviewed in March 2023, does not list Al Barsha at all. Do not rely on any blog. Ask the seller for the title type of the exact unit and confirm it with DLD before you pay a deposit.

Is Al Barsha well connected?

The Dubai Metro Red Line runs along the western edge of Al Barsha. Mall of the Emirates station opened on 9 September 2009 and is joined to the mall by an enclosed overhead walkway. InsuranceMarket station, formerly Sharaf DG and Mashreq, sits on Sheikh Zayed Road and serves Al Barsha and Al Sufouh. RTA feeder buses link the stations with the inner streets. Sheikh Zayed Road (E11) lies to the west, Al Khail Road (E44) to the east, and the district also touches Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road (E311).

What is there to do nearby?

• Mall of the Emirates: opened in 2005, owned by Majid Al Futtaim, home to Ski Dubai, the first indoor ski resort in the Middle East.
• Local malls: Al Barsha Mall, My City Centre Al Barsha and the Art of Living Mall in Al Barsha 2.
• Parks: Al Barsha Pond Park has a running track and sports areas.
• Schools: Dubai American Academy, Kings’ School Al Barsha and Nord Anglia International School are among the schools listed. The National reports that Dubai American Academy has been rated Outstanding by KHDA since 2011-12. Check the latest KHDA report for any school you are considering.

Who is Al Barsha best for?

Families who want schools and a big mall close by, and tenants who want a Metro stop without paying Marina or Downtown prices. Investors should look at registered DLD sales for the specific building, because no area-wide registered price exists yet.

What are the trade-offs?

Ownership rules vary, so not every home can be bought by every nationality. The villa streets of Al Barsha 2 and 3 are car-based, and Wikipedia notes that walking conditions vary and most residents drive. Like other main roads in Dubai, Sheikh Zayed Road can be busy at peak hours. Finally, the price data is thin: one advertised rent, and broker averages with no stated source.

Check the latest rules with DLD or a licensed broker before you sign.