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).
COST
Costco Wholesale Corporation
$982.35Consumer Defensive
CRM
Salesforce, Inc.
$165.89Technology
Total return — COST vs CRM
growth of $100 · last 22yCOST +2190.4%CRM +3757.9%CRM compounded faster
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 12It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValueCRM(lower P/E)
GrowthCRM(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeCRM(higher dividend yield)
QualityCOST(higher ROIC)
Valuation
| Metric | COST | CRM |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 49.41 | 19.22● |
| Forward P/E | 43.40 | 11.75● |
| P/S ratio | 1.49● | 3.37 |
| P/B ratio | 13.03 | 4.22● |
| PEG ratio | 5.23 | 1.24● |
| EV / EBITDA | 29.43 | 13.63● |
| FCF yield | 2.02% | 10.14%● |
Profitability
| Metric | COST | CRM |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 12.88% | 77.64%● |
| Operating margin | 3.82% | 21.94%● |
| Net margin | 3.01% | 18.73%● |
| ROE | 26.38%● | 23.44% |
| ROIC | 19.44%● | 8.76% |
Dividends
| Metric | COST | CRM |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 0.55% | 1.28%● |
| Payout ratio | 29.44% | 27.11% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | COST | CRM |
|---|---|---|
| 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.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Costco Wholesale P/E ratioSalesforce P/E ratioCostco Wholesale dividend yieldSalesforce dividend yieldCostco Wholesale ROESalesforce ROECostco Wholesale operating marginSalesforce operating marginCostco Wholesale revenue growthSalesforce revenue growthCostco Wholesale free cash flowSalesforce free cash flow
Costco Wholesale & Salesforce appear in these rankings
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.