Equity Residential (EQR) vs Essex Property Trust, Inc. (ESS)
EQR leads on 8 of 14 compared metrics.
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 June 25, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).
Total return — EQR vs ESS
growth of $100 · last 30yEQR +302.4%ESS +1186.5%ESS compounded faster
EQR ESS
EQR vs ESS: by the numbers
- •EQR is the larger company ($25.16B vs $18.19B market cap).
- •EQR trades at the lower earnings multiple (26.70 vs 31.65 P/E).
- •EQR converts more revenue to profit (30.56% vs 30.17% net margin).
- •ESS grew revenue faster over the past five years (5.52% vs 4.64% CAGR).
- •ESS pays the higher dividend yield (3.66% vs 3.15%).
Which is better, EQR or ESS?
Metric tally: EQR 8 · ESS 6It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValueEQR(lower P/E)
GrowthESS(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeESS(higher dividend yield)
QualityEQR(higher ROIC)
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | EQR | ESS |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 26.70● | 31.65 |
| Forward P/E | 42.61● | 46.50 |
| P/S ratio | 8.17● | 9.52 |
| P/B ratio | 2.39● | 3.34 |
| PEG ratio | 2.41● | 8.60 |
| EV / EBITDA | 14.77● | 17.03 |
Profitability
| Metric | EQR | ESS |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 46.32% | 69.44%● |
| Operating margin | 28.50% | 38.38%● |
| Net margin | 30.56% | 30.17% |
| ROE | 8.94% | 10.59%● |
| ROIC | 219.27%● | 6.13% |
Dividends
| Metric | EQR | ESS |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 3.15% | 3.66%● |
| Payout ratio | 70.29% | 98.94% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | EQR | ESS |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 4.64% | 5.52%● |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 4.71%● | 3.68% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 0.59% | 1.94%● |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, EQR or ESS?
- It depends on your goal. value: EQR (lower P/E); growth: ESS (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: ESS (higher dividend yield); quality: EQR (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, EQR leads 8 to 6.
- Is EQR or ESS cheaper?
- On trailing earnings, EQR is cheaper: EQR trades at a 26.70 P/E and ESS at 31.65.
- Which has grown faster, EQR or ESS?
- Over the past five years, ESS grew revenue faster — EQR at a 4.64% CAGR versus ESS at 5.52%.
- Does EQR or ESS pay a bigger dividend?
- EQR yields 3.15% and ESS yields 3.66% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is EQR or ESS more profitable?
- EQR runs the higher net margin — EQR at 30.56% versus ESS at 30.17%.
- Which has been the better investment, EQR or ESS?
- Over the past 10-year, ESS delivered the higher annualized total return — EQR at 3.78% versus ESS at 6.13%. 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 June 25, 2026.