Crown Castle Inc. (CCI) vs Digital Realty Trust, Inc. (DLR)
A side-by-side comparison of Crown Castle Inc. and Digital Realty Trust, Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of September 11, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.
Total return — CCI vs DLR
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10yCCI vs DLR: by the numbers
- •DLR is the larger company ($69.77B vs $33.05B market cap).
- •CCI converts more revenue to profit (25.83% vs 11.67% net margin).
- •DLR grew revenue faster over the past five years (9.91% vs -7.20% CAGR).
- •CCI pays the higher dividend yield (5.75% vs 2.63%).
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | CCI | DLR |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 30.74 | 91.10 |
| Forward P/E | 39.21 | 69.63 |
| P/S ratio | 7.94 | 10.19 |
| P/B ratio | N/A | 2.54 |
| EV / EBITDA | 20.78 | 26.75 |
| FCF yield | 7.28% | 1.96% |
For REITs like Crown Castle Inc., GAAP P/E is distorted: heavy non-cash property depreciation depresses reported earnings and overstates the multiple. Real-estate companies are valued on funds from operations (FFO / AFFO) and price-to-FFO — see the Funds From Operations section. The P/E is shown for reference only.
For REITs like Digital Realty Trust, Inc., GAAP P/E is distorted: heavy non-cash property depreciation depresses reported earnings and overstates the multiple. Real-estate companies are valued on funds from operations (FFO / AFFO) and price-to-FFO — see the Funds From Operations section. The P/E is shown for reference only.
Profitability
| Metric | CCI | DLR |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 63.19% | 55.39% |
| Operating margin | 47.74% | 17.87% |
| Net margin | 25.83% | 11.67% |
| ROE | N/A | 2.91% |
| ROIC | 9.63% | 2.25% |
Dividends
| Metric | CCI | DLR |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 5.75% | 2.63% |
| Payout ratio | 172.76% | 235.75% |
Crown Castle Inc.'s payout ratio is measured against GAAP earnings, which non-cash depreciation depresses for REITs — the dividend is conventionally assessed against funds from operations (FFO / AFFO) instead, so the GAAP figure overstates the payout burden.
Digital Realty Trust, Inc.'s payout ratio is measured against GAAP earnings, which non-cash depreciation depresses for REITs — the dividend is conventionally assessed against funds from operations (FFO / AFFO) instead, so the GAAP figure overstates the payout burden.
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | CCI | DLR |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | -7.20% | 9.91% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | -15.45% | 29.87% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 7.90% | 12.36% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | -13.01% | 7.20% |
Frequently asked
- Which has grown faster, CCI or DLR?
- Over the past five years, DLR grew revenue faster — CCI at a -7.20% CAGR versus DLR at 9.91%.
- Does CCI or DLR pay a bigger dividend?
- CCI yields 5.75% and DLR yields 2.63% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is CCI or DLR more profitable?
- CCI runs the higher net margin — CCI at 25.83% versus DLR at 11.67%.
- How have CCI and DLR total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, CCI delivered 1.87% and DLR delivered 10.50% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Crown Castle & Digital Realty Trust 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 September 11, 2026.