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).

Compare

Total return — EQR vs MAA

growth of $100 · last 30y
EQR +296.7%MAA +417.3%MAA compounded faster
200400600800Start $100200120062011201620212026$397$517
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 5

It 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

MetricEQRMAA
P/E ratio26.7040.57
Forward P/E42.6139.93
P/S ratio8.177.04
P/B ratio2.392.80
PEG ratio2.413.53
EV / EBITDA14.7717.24

Profitability

MetricEQRMAA
Gross margin46.32%39.58%
Operating margin28.50%27.43%
Net margin30.56%17.60%
ROE8.94%7.01%
ROIC219.27%5.58%

Dividends

MetricEQRMAA
Dividend yield3.15%4.55%
Payout ratio70.29%160.69%

Growth (annualized)

MetricEQRMAA
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.

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.