AvalonBay Communities, Inc. (AVB) vs Realty Income Corporation (O)

AVB leads on 7 of 13 compared metrics.

A side-by-side comparison of AvalonBay Communities, Inc. and Realty Income Corporation across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 14, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

Total return — AVB vs O

growth of $100 · last 30y
AVB +633.5%O +520.4%AVB compounded faster
2004006008001kStart $100200120062011201620212026$733$620
AVB O

AVB vs O: by the numbers

  • O is the larger company ($58.49B vs $26.53B market cap).
  • AVB trades at the lower earnings multiple (23.26 vs 51.41 P/E).
  • AVB converts more revenue to profit (37.27% vs 18.94% net margin).
  • O grew revenue faster over the past five years (28.65% vs 6.36% CAGR).
  • O pays the higher dividend yield (5.16% vs 3.76%).

Which is better, AVB or O?

Metric tally: AVB 7 · O 6

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueAVB(lower P/E)
GrowthO(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeO(higher dividend yield)
QualityO(higher ROIC)

Valuation

MetricAVBO
P/E ratio23.2651.41
Forward P/E34.1534.95
P/S ratio8.609.59
P/B ratio2.291.45
PEG ratio4.982.49
EV / EBITDA17.8620.50

Profitability

MetricAVBO
Gross margin67.92%68.62%
Operating margin29.15%29.27%
Net margin37.27%18.94%
ROE9.94%2.86%
ROIC4.28%24.52%

Dividends

MetricAVBO
Dividend yield3.76%5.16%
Payout ratio95.00%276.67%

Growth (annualized)

MetricAVBO
Revenue CAGR (5Y)6.36%28.65%
EPS CAGR (5Y)4.67%0.35%
Total return CAGR (5Y)0.64%3.50%

Frequently asked

Which is better, AVB or O?
It depends on your goal. value: AVB (lower P/E); growth: O (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: O (higher dividend yield); quality: O (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, AVB leads 7 to 6.
Is AVB or O cheaper?
On trailing earnings, AVB is cheaper: AVB trades at a 23.26 P/E and O at 51.41.
Which has grown faster, AVB or O?
Over the past five years, O grew revenue faster — AVB at a 6.36% CAGR versus O at 28.65%.
Does AVB or O pay a bigger dividend?
AVB yields 3.76% and O yields 5.16% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is AVB or O more profitable?
AVB runs the higher net margin — AVB at 37.27% versus O at 18.94%.
Which has been the better investment, AVB or O?
Over the past 10-year, O delivered the higher annualized total return — AVB at 4.41% versus O at 4.90%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

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 14, 2026.