Doha ($522/sqft, 16.4% vacancy) and Dubai ($39/sqft, 5.8% vacancy) compete on different axes: Doha on talent depth and Dubai on talent depth.
Doha ($522/sqft, 16.4% vacancy) and Dubai ($39/sqft, 5.8% vacancy) compete on different axes: Doha on talent depth and Dubai on talent depth.
| Metric | Doha | Dubai |
|---|---|---|
| Region | EMEA | EMEA |
| Country | Qatar | United Arab Emirates |
| Class A rent (USD/sqft/yr) | $522 | $39 |
| Class A rent (local) | 1900 QAR | 145 AED |
| Vacancy | 16.4% | 5.8% |
| Trend | flat | rising |
| Prime yield | 6.8% | 7.5% |
| Premium flex / seat / month (USD) | $760 | $980 |
| Submarkets covered | 5 | 6 |
| Corporate tax | 10% | 9% |
| Metric | Doha | Dubai |
|---|---|---|
| Typical term | 5 yrs | 3 yrs |
| Typical rent-free | 6 mos | 3 mos |
| Lease norms | Net leases. 5-year terms with renewal options standard. Free rent of 4-9 months on a 5-year deal. | Standard lease 3 years with annual rent escalators (typically 5%) and a renewal option. Service charges billed separately. Security deposit of 5-10% standard. Ejari (lease registration) is mandatory. |
| Tax note | 10% Qatari corporate income tax for foreign-owned entities. 0% for Qatari/GCC nationals. Qatar Financial Centre (QFC) tenants benefit from a separate 10% tax regime with English common law structure. | Federal corporate tax of 9% on profits over AED 375,000 — applied since 2023. No personal income tax. No VAT on commercial leases (5% VAT on most other goods/services). |
| Metric | Doha | Dubai |
|---|---|---|
| Talent index (0–100) | 78 | 78 |
| Talent note | Deep oil/gas, banking, and government services talent. Multinational professional base with strong English fluency. Qatarization workforce nationalization program applies. | Deepest cross-border financial-services and consulting talent pool in the Middle East. Average all-in compensation indexes 78. |
Doha: Doha Metro (Red, Green, Gold Lines), Lusail Tram. Hamad International Airport (DOH) is on Metro Red Line. Bus network.
Dubai: Dubai Metro Red Line connects DIFC, Downtown, Internet City. Etihad Rail commuter network is in development.
Dubai is the cheaper Class A market on a USD basis.
Talent indices are tied at 78/100.
Dubai has the lower headline corporate tax (9% vs 10%). Local incentives can change the effective rate materially.
Doha typical term is 5 years with 6 months free; Dubai runs 3 years with 3 months free.
Doha: Doha Metro (Red, Green, Gold Lines), Lusail Tram. Hamad International Airport (DOH) is on Metro Red Line. Bus network. Dubai: Dubai Metro Red Line connects DIFC, Downtown, Internet City. Etihad Rail commuter network is in development.
Score Doha, Dubai and up to two more markets side-by-side on Class A rent, vacancy, talent, corporate tax, and premium flex pricing — all in USD.
Reviewed by Samuel Okafor — EMEA contributing editor. Last updated 2026-04-15. See our methodology and editorial standards.