- Investment apartments cost nearly four times more than government units; Mahboula leads sales as buyers weigh prices, ownership and rental returns
Kuwait recorded 135 residential apartment sales worth approximately 9.98 million dinars between August 2 and November 3, 2026, with significant differences in prices across areas, according to Ministry of Justice data. The figures highlight the importance of location, land value, ownership rights and documentation when assessing an apartment for purchase or investment.
The data show that government apartments in Jaber Al-Ahmad and Northwest Sulaibikhat are considerably cheaper per square metre than apartments in several investment areas. Prices in some government apartment transactions started at 391 dinars per square metre, compared with up to 1,475 dinars in Sabah Al-Salem — a difference of nearly 3.8 times.
Jaber Al-Ahmad recorded transactions worth around one million dinars. The highest-priced sale was 183,000 dinars for an apartment measuring 353.85 square metres, followed by transactions at 180,000 and 175,000 dinars for apartments of similar size. The lowest recorded price per square metre in the monitored transactions was 391 dinars, for an apartment sold for 138,500 dinars. Northwest Sulaibikhat recorded a sale worth 175,000 dinars for a 349.16-square-metre apartment.
Among investment areas, Sabah Al-Salem recorded the highest prices, including a sale at 295,000 dinars for a 200-square-metre apartment, equivalent to 1,475 dinars per square metre. Salmiya recorded a transaction at 150,000 dinars for an apartment measuring 186.73 square metres, or about 803 dinars per square metre, while a 306.5-square-metre apartment in Mahboula sold for 160,000 dinars, equivalent to 522 dinars per square metre.
Mahboula was the most active area, accounting for 68 transactions worth 3.531 million dinars, or approximately half of all apartment sales during the period. The average transaction value was 51,900 dinars. Salmiya and Fintas followed with 13 sales each, worth 1.014 million and 1.033 million dinars respectively. Sabah Al-Salem recorded 11 transactions worth 1.532 million dinars, while Hawally had eight sales worth 495,000 dinars. Farwaniya and Jabriya each recorded three transactions.
Mahboula also accounted for some of the lowest-value sales, including apartments sold for 33,000 dinars and two others for 35,000 dinars each. These transactions point to the area’s appeal to buyers with limited budgets and people seeking lower-cost housing.
Real estate expert and appraiser Abdulaziz Al-Dughaishim said land prices were a major factor influencing apartment values. Higher land costs in areas such as Sabah Al-Salem, Hessa Suburb, Hawally and Salmiya raise the cost of apartments, while lower land prices in Mahboula and areas farther from the capital contribute to more affordable housing.
Emad Haidar, head of the Real Estate Brokers Union, said the price gap between government and investment apartments also reflected differences in ownership arrangements, buyer risks, services and guarantees. He cautioned that some government apartments in Jaber Al-Ahmad and Northwest Sulaibikhat may not offer buyers freehold title, potentially affecting their ability to dispose of or resell the property.
Investment apartments in residential suburbs such as Sabah Al-Salem generally offer different ownership arrangements, procedures and guarantees, as well as access to additional facilities and services, including sports clubs. These factors help explain their higher prices per square metre.
Mahboula, meanwhile, attracts budget-conscious buyers and workers seeking affordable accommodation. Haidar said demand had also been supported by the labour-housing shortage in Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh, prompting some buyers to purchase apartments in Mahboula for rental income and potential reinvestment.
