Equity Residential (EQR) vs Essex Property Trust, Inc. (ESS)
A side-by-side comparison of Equity Residential and Essex Property Trust, Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of August 9, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.
EQR
Equity Residential
$67.07Real EstateAt close: Aug 7, 2026, 4:00 PM ET
ESS
Essex Property Trust, Inc.
$288.10Real EstateAt close: Aug 7, 2026, 4:00 PM ET
Total return — EQR vs ESS
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 30yEQR +1502.4%ESS +4157.2%ESS compounded faster
EQR ESS
EQR vs ESS: by the numbers
- •EQR is the larger company ($25.15B vs $18.51B market cap).
- •EQR trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (29.42 vs 44.81 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •EQR converts more revenue to profit (27.91% vs 21.63% net margin).
- •ESS grew revenue faster over the past five years (6.01% vs 5.22% CAGR).
- •EQR pays the higher dividend yield (4.16% vs 3.58%).
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | EQR | ESS |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 29.42 | 44.81 |
| Forward P/E | 46.09 | 48.73 |
| P/S ratio | 8.21 | 9.64 |
| P/B ratio | 2.45 | 3.49 |
| PEG ratio | 2.41 | 12.18 |
| EV / EBITDA | 18.15 | 21.51 |
| FCF yield | 4.57% | 5.61% |
Profitability
| Metric | EQR | ESS |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 45.96% | 69.38% |
| Operating margin | 36.33% | 43.88% |
| Net margin | 27.91% | 21.63% |
| ROE | 8.32% | 7.83% |
| ROIC | 4.61% | 4.66% |
Dividends
| Metric | EQR | ESS |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 4.16% | 3.58% |
| Payout ratio | 93.94% | 99.14% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | EQR | ESS |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 5.22% | 6.01% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 4.71% | 3.68% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 2.37% | 8.10% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | -0.73% | 1.08% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, EQR or ESS?
- EQR has the lower trailing P/E: EQR trades at 29.42 and ESS at 44.81. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- Which has grown faster, EQR or ESS?
- Over the past five years, ESS grew revenue faster — EQR at a 5.22% CAGR versus ESS at 6.01%.
- Does EQR or ESS pay a bigger dividend?
- EQR yields 4.16% and ESS yields 3.58% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is EQR or ESS more profitable?
- EQR runs the higher net margin — EQR at 27.91% versus ESS at 21.63%.
- How have EQR and ESS total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, EQR delivered 3.60% and ESS delivered 5.69% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Equity Residential P/E ratioEssex Property Trust P/E ratioEquity Residential dividend yieldEssex Property Trust dividend yieldEquity Residential ROEEssex Property Trust ROEEquity Residential operating marginEssex Property Trust operating marginEquity Residential revenue growthEssex Property Trust revenue growthEquity Residential free cash flowEssex Property Trust free cash flow
Equity Residential & Essex Property Trust 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 August 9, 2026.