Equity Residential (EQR) vs Mid-America Apartment Communities, Inc. (MAA)
EQR leads on 10 of 15 compared metrics.
A side-by-side comparison of Equity Residential and Mid-America Apartment Communities, Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 24, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).
EQR
Equity Residential
$66.22Real Estate
MAA
Mid-America Apartment Communities, Inc.
$133.89Real Estate
Total return — EQR vs MAA
growth of $100 · last 30yEQR +296.7%MAA +417.3%MAA compounded faster
EQR MAA
EQR vs MAA: by the numbers
- •EQR is the larger company ($24.81B vs $15.58B market cap).
- •EQR trades at the lower earnings multiple (26.70 vs 40.57 P/E).
- •EQR converts more revenue to profit (30.56% vs 17.60% net margin).
- •MAA grew revenue faster over the past five years (5.61% vs 4.64% CAGR).
- •MAA pays the higher dividend yield (4.55% vs 3.15%).
Which is better, EQR or MAA?
Metric tally: EQR 10 · MAA 5It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValueEQR(lower P/E)
GrowthMAA(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeMAA(higher dividend yield)
QualityEQR(higher ROIC)
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | EQR | MAA |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 26.70● | 40.57 |
| Forward P/E | 42.61 | 39.93● |
| P/S ratio | 8.17 | 7.04● |
| P/B ratio | 2.39● | 2.80 |
| PEG ratio | 2.41● | 3.53 |
| EV / EBITDA | 14.77● | 17.24 |
Profitability
| Metric | EQR | MAA |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 46.32%● | 39.58% |
| Operating margin | 28.50%● | 27.43% |
| Net margin | 30.56%● | 17.60% |
| ROE | 8.94%● | 7.01% |
| ROIC | 219.27%● | 5.58% |
Dividends
| Metric | EQR | MAA |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 3.15% | 4.55%● |
| Payout ratio | 70.29% | 160.69% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | EQR | MAA |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 4.64% | 5.61%● |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 4.71% | 11.49%● |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 0.48%● | -1.07% |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, EQR or MAA?
- It depends on your goal. value: EQR (lower P/E); growth: MAA (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: MAA (higher dividend yield); quality: EQR (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, EQR leads 10 to 5.
- Is EQR or MAA cheaper?
- On trailing earnings, EQR is cheaper: EQR trades at a 26.70 P/E and MAA at 40.57.
- Which has grown faster, EQR or MAA?
- Over the past five years, MAA grew revenue faster — EQR at a 4.64% CAGR versus MAA at 5.61%.
- Does EQR or MAA pay a bigger dividend?
- EQR yields 3.15% and MAA yields 4.55% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is EQR or MAA more profitable?
- EQR runs the higher net margin — EQR at 30.56% versus MAA at 17.60%.
- Which has been the better investment, EQR or MAA?
- Over the past 10-year, MAA delivered the higher annualized total return — EQR at 3.64% versus MAA at 6.43%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Equity Residential P/E ratioMid-America Apartment Communities P/E ratioEquity Residential dividend yieldMid-America Apartment Communities dividend yieldEquity Residential ROEMid-America Apartment Communities ROEEquity Residential operating marginMid-America Apartment Communities operating marginEquity Residential revenue growthMid-America Apartment Communities revenue growthEquity Residential free cash flowMid-America Apartment Communities free cash flow
Equity Residential & Mid-America Apartment Communities 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 24, 2026.