Crown Castle Inc. (CCI) vs SBA Communications Corporation (SBAC)

SBAC leads on 10 of 12 compared metrics.

A side-by-side comparison of Crown Castle Inc. and SBA Communications Corporation across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 14, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

Total return — CCI vs SBAC

growth of $100 · last 27y
CCI +375.5%SBAC +2206.2%SBAC compounded faster
01k2k3k4kStart $10020042009201420192024$476$2,306
CCI SBAC

CCI vs SBAC: by the numbers

  • CCI is the larger company ($40.22B vs $21.72B market cap).
  • SBAC trades at the lower earnings multiple (21.53 vs 38.08 P/E).
  • SBAC converts more revenue to profit (35.66% vs 25.13% net margin).
  • SBAC grew revenue faster over the past five years (6.18% vs -6.52% CAGR).
  • CCI pays the higher dividend yield (3.46% vs 2.30%).

Which is better, CCI or SBAC?

Metric tally: CCI 2 · SBAC 10

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueSBAC(lower P/E)
GrowthSBAC(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeCCI(higher dividend yield)
QualitySBAC(higher ROIC)

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricCCISBAC
P/E ratio38.0821.53
Forward P/E31.9924.39
P/S ratio9.567.61
PEG ratio0.48
EV / EBITDA23.9317.49

Profitability

MetricCCISBAC
Gross margin65.71%63.62%
Operating margin48.01%47.63%
Net margin25.13%35.66%
ROE-27.16%-21.71%
ROIC6.81%10.05%

Dividends

MetricCCISBAC
Dividend yield3.46%2.30%
Payout ratio312.50%48.02%

Growth (annualized)

MetricCCISBAC
Revenue CAGR (5Y)-6.52%6.18%
EPS CAGR (5Y)-15.45%113.83%
Total return CAGR (5Y)-9.85%-6.93%

Frequently asked

Which is better, CCI or SBAC?
It depends on your goal. value: SBAC (lower P/E); growth: SBAC (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: CCI (higher dividend yield); quality: SBAC (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, SBAC leads 10 to 2.
Is CCI or SBAC cheaper?
On trailing earnings, SBAC is cheaper: CCI trades at a 38.08 P/E and SBAC at 21.53.
Which has grown faster, CCI or SBAC?
Over the past five years, SBAC grew revenue faster — CCI at a -6.52% CAGR versus SBAC at 6.18%.
Does CCI or SBAC pay a bigger dividend?
CCI yields 3.46% and SBAC yields 2.30% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is CCI or SBAC more profitable?
SBAC runs the higher net margin — CCI at 25.13% versus SBAC at 35.66%.
Which has been the better investment, CCI or SBAC?
Over the past 10-year, SBAC delivered the higher annualized total return — CCI at 4.03% versus SBAC at 8.32%. 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 14, 2026.