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.

Compare

Total returnEQR vs ESS

growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 30y
EQR +1502.4%ESS +4157.2%ESS compounded faster
01k2k3k4kStart $100200120062011201620212026$1,602$4,257
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

MetricEQRESS
P/E ratio29.4244.81
Forward P/E46.0948.73
P/S ratio8.219.64
P/B ratio2.453.49
PEG ratio2.4112.18
EV / EBITDA18.1521.51
FCF yield4.57%5.61%

Profitability

MetricEQRESS
Gross margin45.96%69.38%
Operating margin36.33%43.88%
Net margin27.91%21.63%
ROE8.32%7.83%
ROIC4.61%4.66%

Dividends

MetricEQRESS
Dividend yield4.16%3.58%
Payout ratio93.94%99.14%

Growth (annualized)

MetricEQRESS
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.

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.