AvalonBay Communities, Inc. (AVB) vs Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc. (HST)
HST leads on 9 of 15 compared metrics.
A side-by-side comparison of AvalonBay Communities, Inc. and Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 19, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).
AVB
AvalonBay Communities, Inc.
$177.32Real Estate
HST
Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc.
$25.01Real Estate
Total return — AVB vs HST
growth of $100 · last 30yAVB +598.7%HST +100.1%AVB compounded faster
AVB HST
AVB vs HST: by the numbers
- •AVB is the larger company ($25.16B vs $17.13B market cap).
- •HST trades at the lower earnings multiple (17.25 vs 22.05 P/E).
- •AVB converts more revenue to profit (37.27% vs 16.40% net margin).
- •HST grew revenue faster over the past five years (44.85% vs 6.36% CAGR).
- •AVB pays the higher dividend yield (3.96% vs 3.80%).
Which is better, AVB or HST?
Metric tally: AVB 6 · HST 9It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValueHST(lower P/E)
GrowthHST(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeAVB(higher dividend yield)
QualityHST(higher ROIC)
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | AVB | HST |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 22.05 | 17.25● |
| Forward P/E | 33.00 | 19.40● |
| P/S ratio | 8.15 | 2.81● |
| P/B ratio | 2.17● | 2.54 |
| PEG ratio | 4.72 | 1.44● |
| EV / EBITDA | 17.17 | 10.08● |
Profitability
| Metric | AVB | HST |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 67.92%● | 27.80% |
| Operating margin | 29.15%● | 14.31% |
| Net margin | 37.27%● | 16.40% |
| ROE | 9.94% | 14.81%● |
| ROIC | 4.28% | 6.04%● |
Dividends
| Metric | AVB | HST |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 3.96%● | 3.80% |
| Payout ratio | 95.00% | 86.36% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | AVB | HST |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 6.36% | 44.85%● |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 4.67%● | -2.24% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 0.38% | 12.39%● |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, AVB or HST?
- It depends on your goal. value: HST (lower P/E); growth: HST (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: AVB (higher dividend yield); quality: HST (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, HST leads 9 to 6.
- Is AVB or HST cheaper?
- On trailing earnings, HST is cheaper: AVB trades at a 22.05 P/E and HST at 17.25.
- Which has grown faster, AVB or HST?
- Over the past five years, HST grew revenue faster — AVB at a 6.36% CAGR versus HST at 44.85%.
- Does AVB or HST pay a bigger dividend?
- AVB yields 3.96% and HST yields 3.80% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is AVB or HST more profitable?
- AVB runs the higher net margin — AVB at 37.27% versus HST at 16.40%.
- Which has been the better investment, AVB or HST?
- Over the past 10-year, HST delivered the higher annualized total return — AVB at 3.65% versus HST at 8.52%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
AvalonBay Communities P/E ratioHost Hotels & Resorts P/E ratioAvalonBay Communities dividend yieldHost Hotels & Resorts dividend yieldAvalonBay Communities ROEHost Hotels & Resorts ROEAvalonBay Communities operating marginHost Hotels & Resorts operating marginAvalonBay Communities revenue growthHost Hotels & Resorts revenue growthAvalonBay Communities free cash flowHost Hotels & Resorts free cash flow
AvalonBay Communities & Host Hotels & Resorts 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 19, 2026.