Is AVB or ESS cheaper?

On trailing earnings, AVB is cheaper: AVB trades at a 23.26 P/E and ESS at 31.88.

Which has grown faster, AVB or ESS?

Over the past five years, AVB grew revenue faster — AVB at a 6.36% CAGR versus ESS at 5.52%.

Does AVB or ESS pay a bigger dividend?

AVB yields 3.76% and ESS yields 3.63% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.

Is AVB or ESS more profitable?

AVB runs the higher net margin — AVB at 37.27% versus ESS at 30.17%.

Which has been the better investment, AVB or ESS?

Over the past 10-year, ESS delivered the higher annualized total return — AVB at 4.41% versus ESS at 6.54%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

AvalonBay Communities, Inc. (AVB) vs Essex Property Trust, Inc. (ESS)

AVB leads on 10 of 17 compared metrics.

A side-by-side comparison of AvalonBay Communities, Inc. and Essex Property Trust, Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 13, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

AVB

AvalonBay Communities, Inc.

$26.53B

$187.03Real Estate

ESS

Essex Property Trust, Inc.

$18.23B

$283.75Real Estate

Total return — AVB vs ESS

growth of $100 · last 30y

AVB +644.2%ESS +1235.3%ESS compounded faster

AVB ESS

AVB vs ESS: by the numbers

•AVB is the larger company ($26.53B vs $18.23B market cap).
•AVB trades at the lower earnings multiple (23.26 vs 31.88 P/E).
•AVB converts more revenue to profit (37.27% vs 30.17% net margin).
•AVB grew revenue faster over the past five years (6.36% vs 5.52% CAGR).
•AVB pays the higher dividend yield (3.76% vs 3.63%).

Which is better, AVB or ESS?

Metric tally: AVB 10 · ESS 7

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueAVB(lower P/E)

GrowthAVB(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)

IncomeAVB(higher dividend yield)

QualityESS(higher ROIC)

Valuation

Metric	AVB	ESS
P/E ratio	23.26●	31.88
Forward P/E	34.15●	46.85
P/S ratio	8.60●	9.59
P/B ratio	2.25●	3.37
PEG ratio	4.98●	8.66
EV / EBITDA	17.86	17.12●
FCF yield	5.71%●	5.27%

Profitability

Metric	AVB	ESS
Gross margin	67.92%	69.44%●
Operating margin	29.15%	38.38%●
Net margin	37.27%●	30.17%
ROE	9.75%	10.59%●
ROIC	4.28%	6.13%●

Dividends

Metric	AVB	ESS
Dividend yield	3.76%●	3.63%
Payout ratio	95.00%	98.94%

Growth (annualized)

Metric	AVB	ESS
Revenue CAGR (5Y)	6.36%●	5.52%
EPS CAGR (5Y)	4.67%●	3.68%
FCF CAGR (5Y)	6.75%	8.49%●
Total return CAGR (5Y)	0.64%	1.54%●

Frequently asked

Which is better, AVB or ESS?: It depends on your goal. value: AVB (lower P/E); growth: AVB (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: AVB (higher dividend yield); quality: ESS (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, AVB leads 10 to 7.
Is AVB or ESS cheaper?: On trailing earnings, AVB is cheaper: AVB trades at a 23.26 P/E and ESS at 31.88.
Which has grown faster, AVB or ESS?: Over the past five years, AVB grew revenue faster — AVB at a 6.36% CAGR versus ESS at 5.52%.
Does AVB or ESS pay a bigger dividend?: AVB yields 3.76% and ESS yields 3.63% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is AVB or ESS more profitable?: AVB runs the higher net margin — AVB at 37.27% versus ESS at 30.17%.
Which has been the better investment, AVB or ESS?: Over the past 10-year, ESS delivered the higher annualized total return — AVB at 4.41% versus ESS at 6.54%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

Go deeper

Full AVB analysis Full ESS analysis Interactive comparison tool

AVB & ESS appear in these rankings

Highest Dividend Yield Stocks Dividend Aristocrats Highest Operating Margin Stocks Highest FCF Yield Stocks

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 13, 2026.