AvalonBay Communities, Inc. (AVB) vs Equity Residential (EQR)
AVB leads on 9 of 14 compared metrics.
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 June 24, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).
AVB
AvalonBay Communities, Inc.
$182.24Real Estate
EQR
Equity Residential
$66.22Real Estate
Total return — AVB vs EQR
growth of $100 · last 30yAVB +600.9%EQR +296.7%AVB compounded faster
AVB EQR
AVB vs EQR: by the numbers
- •AVB is the larger company ($25.85B vs $24.81B market cap).
- •AVB trades at the lower earnings multiple (22.67 vs 26.70 P/E).
- •AVB converts more revenue to profit (37.27% vs 30.56% net margin).
- •AVB grew revenue faster over the past five years (6.36% vs 4.64% CAGR).
- •AVB pays the higher dividend yield (3.86% vs 3.15%).
Which is better, AVB or EQR?
Metric tally: AVB 9 · EQR 5It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValueAVB(lower P/E)
GrowthAVB(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeAVB(higher dividend yield)
QualityEQR(higher ROIC)
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | AVB | EQR |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 22.67● | 26.70 |
| Forward P/E | 33.92● | 42.61 |
| P/S ratio | 8.38 | 8.17● |
| P/B ratio | 2.23● | 2.39 |
| PEG ratio | 4.85 | 2.41● |
| EV / EBITDA | 17.52 | 14.77● |
Profitability
| Metric | AVB | EQR |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 67.92%● | 46.32% |
| Operating margin | 29.15%● | 28.50% |
| Net margin | 37.27%● | 30.56% |
| ROE | 9.94%● | 8.94% |
| ROIC | 4.28% | 219.27%● |
Dividends
| Metric | AVB | EQR |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 3.86%● | 3.15% |
| Payout ratio | 95.00% | 70.29% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | AVB | EQR |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 6.36%● | 4.64% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 4.67% | 4.71% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 0.30% | 0.48%● |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, AVB or EQR?
- It depends on your goal. value: AVB (lower P/E); growth: AVB (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: AVB (higher dividend yield); quality: EQR (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, AVB leads 9 to 5.
- Is AVB or EQR cheaper?
- On trailing earnings, AVB is cheaper: AVB trades at a 22.67 P/E and EQR at 26.70.
- Which has grown faster, AVB or EQR?
- Over the past five years, AVB grew revenue faster — AVB at a 6.36% CAGR versus EQR at 4.64%.
- Does AVB or EQR pay a bigger dividend?
- AVB yields 3.86% and EQR yields 3.15% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is AVB or EQR more profitable?
- AVB runs the higher net margin — AVB at 37.27% versus EQR at 30.56%.
- Which has been the better investment, AVB or EQR?
- Over the past 10-year, AVB delivered the higher annualized total return — AVB at 3.86% versus EQR at 3.64%. 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 June 24, 2026.