Sharjah property market hits record $17.9bn as sales surge 64 per cent and Q1 transactions jump 41 per cent
Sharjah real estate transactions reached a record $17.9bn in 2025, while Q1 2026 sales rose 41 per cent to $5bn
Sharjah’s real estate market reached new highs in 2025, recording AED65.6bn ($17.9bn) worth of property transactions, a 64 per cent increase on the previous year, according to new research from property consultancy Cavendish Maxwell.
The emirate has carried that momentum into 2026, with first-quarter transaction values rising 41 per cent year-on-year to AED18.5bn ($5bn), while nearly 9,980 properties were sold between January and March, up 23 per cent compared with the same period last year.
According to Cavendish Maxwell, the latest figures highlight the growing strength of Sharjah’s property sector, supported by foreign investment, infrastructure expansion, population growth and housing affordability compared with neighbouring Dubai.
Ali Siddiqui, Research Manager at Cavendish Maxwell, said: “Sharjah is entering a new phase of economic ambition. FDI reached AED7.7bn last year, with H1 alone recording a 361 per cent surge to AED5.5bn.
“GDP grew 4.4 per cent with projected 2.5 per cent further growth this year, business licences climbed nearly 9 per cent to reach more than 77,500, and annual real estate transactions reached a record AED65.6bn. All this signals an emirate at an inflection point.
Sharjah real estate boom
“Foreign ownership reforms, huge investment in infrastructure projects like Etihad Rail and major road improvements, and Sharjah’s relatively low living costs are driving new and unprecedented demand for real estate in the emirate, where the population is projected to grow from 1.98m today to 2.1m by 2030.
“With 33,700 units in the pipeline between now and 2030, Sharjah’s residential market is entering a period of significant supply growth, with the quality and scale of incoming product shifting buyer expectations upward.”
The consultancy noted that sales data typically takes several weeks to appear in official statistics, meaning first-quarter figures include transactions signed both before and after the regional conflict began.
Cavendish Maxwell’s research found that the cost of living in Sharjah remains significantly lower than in Dubai, with residents paying between 20 per cent and 30 per cent less in rent.
The affordability gap continues to drive commuter demand, with a substantial number of residents travelling daily from Sharjah to Dubai for work.
Rental demand remains strong
Expatriates account for more than 85 per cent of Sharjah’s population, with many relocating from Dubai in search of larger homes and lower housing costs.
The report highlights continued strength in the emirate’s rental market.
Nearly 290,000 residential rental transactions were recorded in 2025, compared with 278,000 in 2024, reflecting sustained housing demand.
Families accounted for 86 per cent of rental contracts, while single individuals represented 10 per cent and staff or worker accommodation made up the remaining 4 per cent.
Across both residential and commercial sectors, total rental contracts exceeded 368,500 in 2025, representing annual growth of 4.4 per cent.
Investor base expands after freehold reforms
Sharjah’s freehold reforms, introduced in 2022, have broadened the emirate’s investor base significantly.
Almost 130 different nationalities purchased property in Sharjah during 2025.
UAE nationals remained the largest buyer group, followed by Arab nationals and other international buyers, while GCC nationals excluding Emiratis represented a smaller share of purchasers.
The report found growing demand for integrated communities offering sustainability features, lifestyle amenities, landscaped public spaces and family-focused environments.
Demand remains strong among both owner-occupiers and investors, supported by attractive rental yields, affordability and flexible payment plans offered by developers.
More than 33,000 homes planned by 2030
Sharjah delivered approximately 2,600 new residential units in 2025, with apartments accounting for 81 per cent of new supply.
A further 1,100 apartments were delivered during the first quarter of 2026.
Looking ahead, around 33,700 additional residential units are expected to be delivered by 2030, including:
- 24,800 apartments
- 9,900 villas and townhouses
Cavendish Maxwell said major investments in transport infrastructure are strengthening Sharjah’s long-term growth prospects.
Tourism and hospitality sector gains momentum
The AED40bn ($10.9bn) Etihad Rail network is expected to improve connectivity between Sharjah and other emirates, creating new demand across residential, hospitality and medical tourism sectors.
Meanwhile, the E611 widening project is projected to reduce peak-hour travel times to Dubai by 45 per cent.
Sharjah Airport is also undergoing a AED2.4bn ($653m) expansion programme aimed at increasing annual passenger capacity to 20m by 2027.
Sharjah International Airport handled 19.5m passengers in 2025, representing growth of 14 per cent year-on-year, supported by eight new routes and four new airlines.
The emirate’s tourism sector also recorded strong performance.
Hotel guest arrivals increased 22 per cent to 2.1m, while hospitality revenues reached AED780m ($212m), up 20 per cent annually.
Hotel occupancy stood at 78 per cent, with an average daily rate (ADR) of AED305 ($83).
Sharjah currently offers approximately 10,700 hotel keys across 102 properties, predominantly within the mid-market segment.
However, three luxury and upscale hotels comprising 476 keys are planned by 2030, indicating a gradual move towards more premium accommodation offerings.
