Equity Residential (EQR) vs SBA Communications Corporation (SBAC)
SBAC leads on 9 of 14 compared metrics.
A side-by-side comparison of Equity Residential and SBA Communications Corporation 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
$65.70Real Estate
SBAC
SBA Communications Corporation
$189.59Real Estate
Total return — EQR vs SBAC
growth of $100 · last 27yEQR +178.9%SBAC +2012.5%SBAC compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
EQR SBAC
EQR vs SBAC: by the numbers
- •EQR is the larger company ($24.62B vs $19.73B market cap).
- •SBAC trades at the lower earnings multiple (19.94 vs 26.49 P/E).
- •SBAC converts more revenue to profit (35.66% vs 30.56% net margin).
- •SBAC grew revenue faster over the past five years (6.18% vs 4.64% CAGR).
- •EQR pays the higher dividend yield (3.18% vs 2.49%).
Which is better, EQR or SBAC?
Metric tally: EQR 5 · SBAC 9It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValueSBAC(lower P/E)
GrowthSBAC(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeEQR(higher dividend yield)
QualityEQR(higher ROIC)
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | EQR | SBAC |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 26.49 | 19.94● |
| Forward P/E | 42.27 | 22.58● |
| P/S ratio | 8.11 | 7.05● |
| P/B ratio | 2.37 | — |
| PEG ratio | 2.41 | 0.48● |
| EV / EBITDA | 14.68● | 16.73 |
Profitability
| Metric | EQR | SBAC |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 46.32% | 63.62%● |
| Operating margin | 28.50% | 47.63%● |
| Net margin | 30.56% | 35.66%● |
| ROE | 8.94%● | -21.71% |
| ROIC | 219.27%● | 10.05% |
Dividends
| Metric | EQR | SBAC |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 3.18%● | 2.49% |
| Payout ratio | 70.29% | 48.02% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | EQR | SBAC |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 4.64% | 6.18%● |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 4.71% | 113.83%● |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 0.18%● | -8.61% |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, EQR or SBAC?
- It depends on your goal. value: SBAC (lower P/E); growth: SBAC (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: EQR (higher dividend yield); quality: EQR (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, SBAC leads 9 to 5.
- Is EQR or SBAC cheaper?
- On trailing earnings, SBAC is cheaper: EQR trades at a 26.49 P/E and SBAC at 19.94.
- Which has grown faster, EQR or SBAC?
- Over the past five years, SBAC grew revenue faster — EQR at a 4.64% CAGR versus SBAC at 6.18%.
- Does EQR or SBAC pay a bigger dividend?
- EQR yields 3.18% and SBAC yields 2.49% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is EQR or SBAC more profitable?
- SBAC runs the higher net margin — EQR at 30.56% versus SBAC at 35.66%.
- Which has been the better investment, EQR or SBAC?
- Over the past 10-year, SBAC delivered the higher annualized total return — EQR at 3.46% versus SBAC at 7.04%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Equity Residential P/E ratioSBA Communications P/E ratioEquity Residential dividend yieldSBA Communications dividend yieldEquity Residential ROESBA Communications ROEEquity Residential operating marginSBA Communications operating marginEquity Residential revenue growthSBA Communications revenue growthEquity Residential free cash flowSBA Communications free cash flow
Equity Residential & SBA Communications 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.