AvalonBay Communities, Inc. (AVB) vs Equity Residential (EQR)
A side-by-side comparison of AvalonBay Communities, Inc. and Equity Residential across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of August 8, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.
AVB
AvalonBay Communities, Inc.
$187.55Real EstateAt close: Aug 7, 2026, 4:00 PM ET
EQR
Equity Residential
$67.07Real EstateAt close: Aug 7, 2026, 4:00 PM ET
Total return — AVB vs EQR
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 30yAVB +2385.2%EQR +1487.6%AVB compounded faster
AVB EQR
AVB vs EQR: by the numbers
- •AVB is the larger company ($26.78B vs $25.15B market cap).
- •AVB trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (25.83 vs 29.42 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •AVB converts more revenue to profit (33.39% vs 27.91% net margin).
- •AVB grew revenue faster over the past five years (6.62% vs 5.22% CAGR).
- •EQR pays the higher dividend yield (4.16% vs 3.76%).
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | AVB | EQR |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 25.83 | 29.42 |
| Forward P/E | 31.07 | 46.09 |
| P/S ratio | 8.63 | 8.21 |
| P/B ratio | 2.21 | 2.45 |
| PEG ratio | 5.53 | 2.41 |
| EV / EBITDA | 19.77 | 18.15 |
| FCF yield | 6.06% | 4.57% |
Profitability
| Metric | AVB | EQR |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 66.99% | 45.96% |
| Operating margin | 28.45% | 36.33% |
| Net margin | 33.39% | 27.91% |
| ROE | 8.56% | 8.32% |
| ROIC | 4.15% | 4.61% |
Dividends
| Metric | AVB | EQR |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 3.76% | 4.16% |
| Payout ratio | 95.41% | 93.94% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | AVB | EQR |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 6.62% | 5.22% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 4.67% | 4.71% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 9.40% | 2.37% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | -0.56% | -0.73% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, AVB or EQR?
- AVB has the lower trailing P/E: AVB trades at 25.83 and EQR at 29.42. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- Which has grown faster, AVB or EQR?
- Over the past five years, AVB grew revenue faster — AVB at a 6.62% CAGR versus EQR at 5.22%.
- Does AVB or EQR pay a bigger dividend?
- AVB yields 3.76% and EQR yields 4.16% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is AVB or EQR more profitable?
- AVB runs the higher net margin — AVB at 33.39% versus EQR at 27.91%.
- How have AVB and EQR total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, AVB delivered 3.72% and EQR delivered 3.60% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
AvalonBay Communities P/E ratioEquity Residential P/E ratioAvalonBay Communities dividend yieldEquity Residential dividend yieldAvalonBay Communities ROEEquity Residential ROEAvalonBay Communities operating marginEquity Residential operating marginAvalonBay Communities revenue growthEquity Residential revenue growthAvalonBay Communities free cash flowEquity Residential free cash flow
AvalonBay Communities & Equity Residential appear in these rankings
Figures are sourced from reported fundamentals and the latest end-of-day price. This comparison is informational only and is not investment advice. Past performance does not predict future results. See our methodology. Compiled by TGMCharts Research · data verified August 8, 2026.