Crown Castle Inc. (CCI) vs Equity Residential (EQR)

EQR leads on 8 of 12 compared metrics.

A side-by-side comparison of Crown Castle Inc. and Equity Residential across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 26, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

Compare

Total return — CCI vs EQR

growth of $100 · last 28y
CCI +511.8%EQR +213.7%CCI compounded faster
05001k2kStart $10020032008201320182023$612$314
CCI EQR

CCI vs EQR: by the numbers

  • CCI is the larger company ($34.71B vs $25.16B market cap).
  • EQR trades at the lower earnings multiple (26.70 vs 32.86 P/E).
  • EQR converts more revenue to profit (30.56% vs 25.13% net margin).
  • EQR grew revenue faster over the past five years (4.64% vs -6.52% CAGR).
  • CCI pays the higher dividend yield (5.34% vs 3.15%).

Which is better, CCI or EQR?

Metric tally: CCI 4 · EQR 8

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueEQR(lower P/E)
GrowthEQR(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeCCI(higher dividend yield)
QualityEQR(higher ROIC)

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricCCIEQR
P/E ratio32.8626.70
Forward P/E27.6042.61
P/S ratio8.258.17
P/B ratio2.39
PEG ratio2.41
EV / EBITDA21.9014.77

Profitability

MetricCCIEQR
Gross margin65.71%46.32%
Operating margin48.01%28.50%
Net margin25.13%30.56%
ROE-27.16%8.94%
ROIC6.81%219.27%

Dividends

MetricCCIEQR
Dividend yield5.34%3.15%
Payout ratio416.67%70.29%

Growth (annualized)

MetricCCIEQR
Revenue CAGR (5Y)-6.52%4.64%
EPS CAGR (5Y)-15.45%4.71%
Total return CAGR (5Y)-12.46%0.59%

Frequently asked

Which is better, CCI or EQR?
It depends on your goal. value: EQR (lower P/E); growth: EQR (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: CCI (higher dividend yield); quality: EQR (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, EQR leads 8 to 4.
Is CCI or EQR cheaper?
On trailing earnings, EQR is cheaper: CCI trades at a 32.86 P/E and EQR at 26.70.
Which has grown faster, CCI or EQR?
Over the past five years, EQR grew revenue faster — CCI at a -6.52% CAGR versus EQR at 4.64%.
Does CCI or EQR pay a bigger dividend?
CCI yields 5.34% and EQR yields 3.15% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is CCI or EQR more profitable?
EQR runs the higher net margin — CCI at 25.13% versus EQR at 30.56%.
Which has been the better investment, CCI or EQR?
Over the past 10-year, EQR delivered the higher annualized total return — CCI at 2.28% versus EQR at 3.78%. 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 26, 2026.