Crown Castle Inc. (CCI) vs Equinix, Inc. (EQIX)

CCI leads on 9 of 13 compared metrics.

A side-by-side comparison of Crown Castle Inc. and Equinix, Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 15, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

Compare

Total return — CCI vs EQIX

growth of $100 · last 26y
CCI +150.6%EQIX +151.4%EQIX compounded faster
0200400600Start $10020052010201520202025$251$251
CCI EQIX

CCI vs EQIX: by the numbers

  • EQIX is the larger company ($104.13B vs $40.22B market cap).
  • CCI trades at the lower earnings multiple (38.08 vs 73.07 P/E).
  • CCI converts more revenue to profit (25.13% vs 15.03% net margin).
  • EQIX grew revenue faster over the past five years (8.99% vs -6.52% CAGR).
  • CCI pays the higher dividend yield (4.61% vs 1.87%).

Which is better, CCI or EQIX?

Metric tally: CCI 9 · EQIX 4

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueCCI(lower P/E)
GrowthEQIX(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeCCI(higher dividend yield)
QualityCCI(higher ROIC)

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricCCIEQIX
P/E ratio38.0873.07
Forward P/E31.9956.04
P/S ratio9.5611.02
P/B ratio7.29
PEG ratio0.90
EV / EBITDA23.9329.34

Profitability

MetricCCIEQIX
Gross margin65.71%51.26%
Operating margin48.01%20.80%
Net margin25.13%15.03%
ROE-27.16%9.95%
ROIC6.81%4.36%

Dividends

MetricCCIEQIX
Dividend yield4.61%1.87%
Payout ratio416.67%142.86%

Growth (annualized)

MetricCCIEQIX
Revenue CAGR (5Y)-6.52%8.99%
EPS CAGR (5Y)-15.45%26.73%
Total return CAGR (5Y)-9.85%7.37%

Frequently asked

Which is better, CCI or EQIX?
It depends on your goal. value: CCI (lower P/E); growth: EQIX (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: CCI (higher dividend yield); quality: CCI (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, CCI leads 9 to 4.
Is CCI or EQIX cheaper?
On trailing earnings, CCI is cheaper: CCI trades at a 38.08 P/E and EQIX at 73.07.
Which has grown faster, CCI or EQIX?
Over the past five years, EQIX grew revenue faster — CCI at a -6.52% CAGR versus EQIX at 8.99%.
Does CCI or EQIX pay a bigger dividend?
CCI yields 4.61% and EQIX yields 1.87% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is CCI or EQIX more profitable?
CCI runs the higher net margin — CCI at 25.13% versus EQIX at 15.03%.
Which has been the better investment, CCI or EQIX?
Over the past 10-year, EQIX delivered the higher annualized total return — CCI at 4.03% versus EQIX at 13.20%. 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 15, 2026.