Crown Castle Inc. (CCI) vs Essex Property Trust, Inc. (ESS)

A side-by-side comparison of Crown Castle Inc. and Essex Property Trust, Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of August 1, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.

Compare

Total returnCCI vs ESS

growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 28y
CCI +870.6%ESS +2728.6%ESS compounded faster
01k2k3kStart $10020032008201320182023$971$2,829
CCI ESS

CCI vs ESS: by the numbers

  • CCI is the larger company ($33.34B vs $18.26B market cap).
  • CCI trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (31.02 vs 44.19 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
  • CCI converts more revenue to profit (25.83% vs 12.33% net margin).
  • ESS grew revenue faster over the past five years (6.01% vs -7.20% CAGR).
  • CCI pays the higher dividend yield (5.57% vs 3.63%).

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricCCIESS
P/E ratio31.0244.19
Forward P/E38.6047.72
P/S ratio7.969.95
P/B ratioN/A3.49
PEG ratioN/A12.01
EV / EBITDA20.8019.20

Profitability

MetricCCIESS
Gross margin63.19%70.08%
Operating margin47.74%43.88%
Net margin25.83%12.33%
ROE-27.16%4.46%
ROIC10.33%10.69%

Dividends

MetricCCIESS
Dividend yield5.57%3.63%
Payout ratio416.67%99.14%

Growth (annualized)

MetricCCIESS
Revenue CAGR (5Y)-7.20%6.01%
EPS CAGR (5Y)-15.45%3.68%
Total return CAGR (5Y)-12.87%0.73%

Frequently asked

Which has the lower trailing P/E, CCI or ESS?
CCI has the lower trailing P/E: CCI trades at 31.02 and ESS at 44.19. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
Which has grown faster, CCI or ESS?
Over the past five years, ESS grew revenue faster — CCI at a -7.20% CAGR versus ESS at 6.01%.
Does CCI or ESS pay a bigger dividend?
CCI yields 5.57% and ESS yields 3.63% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is CCI or ESS more profitable?
CCI runs the higher net margin — CCI at 25.83% versus ESS at 12.33%.
How have CCI and ESS total returns compared?
Over the past 10 years, CCI delivered 1.80% and ESS delivered 5.39% annualized total return. 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 August 1, 2026.