AvalonBay Communities, Inc. (AVB) vs SBA Communications Corporation (SBAC)
A side-by-side comparison of AvalonBay Communities, Inc. and SBA Communications Corporation across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of July 28, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.
AVB
AvalonBay Communities, Inc.
$190.39Real EstateDelayed quote: Jul 28, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
SBAC
SBA Communications Corporation
$174.93Real EstateDelayed quote: Jul 28, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
Total return — AVB vs SBAC
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 27yAVB +1488.1%SBAC +2032.4%SBAC compounded faster
AVB SBAC
AVB vs SBAC: by the numbers
- •AVB is the larger company ($27.05B vs $18.55B market cap).
- •SBAC trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (18.15 vs 23.33 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •AVB converts more revenue to profit (37.27% vs 35.66% net margin).
- •AVB grew revenue faster over the past five years (6.36% vs 6.18% CAGR).
- •AVB pays the higher dividend yield (3.76% vs 2.73%).
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | AVB | SBAC |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 23.33 | 18.15 |
| Forward P/E | 31.06 | 23.23 |
| P/S ratio | 8.62 | 6.42 |
| P/B ratio | 2.30 | N/A |
| PEG ratio | 5.00 | 0.48 |
| EV / EBITDA | 19.57 | 19.09 |
Profitability
| Metric | AVB | SBAC |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 67.92% | 41.61% |
| Operating margin | 29.15% | 47.63% |
| Net margin | 37.27% | 35.66% |
| ROE | 9.94% | -21.71% |
| ROIC | 4.31% | 11.03% |
Dividends
| Metric | AVB | SBAC |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 3.76% | 2.73% |
| Payout ratio | 95.41% | 48.02% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | AVB | SBAC |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 6.36% | 6.18% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 4.67% | 113.83% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | -0.50% | -11.33% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, AVB or SBAC?
- SBAC has the lower trailing P/E: AVB trades at 23.33 and SBAC at 18.15. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- Which has grown faster, AVB or SBAC?
- Over the past five years, AVB grew revenue faster — AVB at a 6.36% CAGR versus SBAC at 6.18%.
- Does AVB or SBAC pay a bigger dividend?
- AVB yields 3.76% and SBAC yields 2.73% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is AVB or SBAC more profitable?
- AVB runs the higher net margin — AVB at 37.27% versus SBAC at 35.66%.
- How have AVB and SBAC total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, AVB delivered 3.88% and SBAC delivered 5.32% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
AvalonBay Communities P/E ratioSBA Communications P/E ratioAvalonBay Communities dividend yieldSBA Communications dividend yieldAvalonBay Communities ROESBA Communications ROEAvalonBay Communities operating marginSBA Communications operating marginAvalonBay Communities revenue growthSBA Communications revenue growthAvalonBay Communities free cash flowSBA Communications free cash flow
AvalonBay Communities & SBA Communications 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 July 28, 2026.