Costco Wholesale Corporation (COST) vs Salesforce, Inc. (CRM)

CRM leads on 12 of 17 compared metrics.

A side-by-side comparison of Costco Wholesale Corporation and Salesforce, Inc. 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 — COST vs CRM

growth of $100 · last 22y
COST +2190.4%CRM +3757.9%CRM compounded faster
02k4k6k8kStart $10020082012201620202024$2,290$3,858
COST CRM

COST vs CRM: by the numbers

  • COST is the larger company ($435.65B vs $135.86B market cap).
  • CRM trades at the lower earnings multiple (19.22 vs 49.41 P/E).
  • CRM converts more revenue to profit (18.73% vs 3.01% net margin).
  • CRM grew revenue faster over the past five years (13.89% vs 9.48% CAGR).
  • CRM pays the higher dividend yield (1.28% vs 0.55%).

Which is better, COST or CRM?

Metric tally: COST 5 · CRM 12

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueCRM(lower P/E)
GrowthCRM(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeCRM(higher dividend yield)
QualityCOST(higher ROIC)

Valuation

MetricCOSTCRM
P/E ratio49.4119.22
Forward P/E43.4011.75
P/S ratio1.493.37
P/B ratio13.034.22
PEG ratio5.231.24
EV / EBITDA29.4313.63
FCF yield2.02%10.14%

Profitability

MetricCOSTCRM
Gross margin12.88%77.64%
Operating margin3.82%21.94%
Net margin3.01%18.73%
ROE26.38%23.44%
ROIC19.44%8.76%

Dividends

MetricCOSTCRM
Dividend yield0.55%1.28%
Payout ratio29.44%27.11%

Growth (annualized)

MetricCOSTCRM
Revenue CAGR (5Y)9.48%13.89%
EPS CAGR (5Y)15.04%11.87%
FCF CAGR (5Y)4.95%21.18%
Total return CAGR (5Y)21.56%-6.82%

Frequently asked

Which is better, COST or CRM?
It depends on your goal. value: CRM (lower P/E); growth: CRM (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: CRM (higher dividend yield); quality: COST (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, CRM leads 12 to 5.
Is COST or CRM cheaper?
On trailing earnings, CRM is cheaper: COST trades at a 49.41 P/E and CRM at 19.22.
Which has grown faster, COST or CRM?
Over the past five years, CRM grew revenue faster — COST at a 9.48% CAGR versus CRM at 13.89%.
Does COST or CRM pay a bigger dividend?
COST yields 0.55% and CRM yields 1.28% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is COST or CRM more profitable?
CRM runs the higher net margin — COST at 3.01% versus CRM at 18.73%.
Which has been the better investment, COST or CRM?
Over the past 10-year, COST delivered the higher annualized total return — COST at 21.26% versus CRM at 7.51%. 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.