Essex Property Trust, Inc. (ESS) vs Iron Mountain Incorporated (IRM)

ESS leads on 10 of 13 compared metrics.

A side-by-side comparison of Essex Property Trust, Inc. and Iron Mountain Incorporated across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of July 20, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

Compare

Total returnESS vs IRM

growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 30y
ESS +4363.5%IRM +4050.0%ESS compounded faster
01k2k3k4kStart $100200120062011201620212026$4,463$4,150
ESS IRM

ESS vs IRM: by the numbers

  • IRM is the larger company ($36.96B vs $18.88B market cap).
  • ESS trades at the lower earnings multiple (33.01 vs 136.07 P/E).
  • ESS converts more revenue to profit (30.17% vs 3.76% net margin).
  • IRM grew revenue faster over the past five years (11.73% vs 5.52% CAGR).
  • ESS pays the higher dividend yield (3.51% vs 2.73%).

Which is better, ESS or IRM?

Metric tally: ESS 10 · IRM 3

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueESS(lower P/E)
GrowthIRM(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeESS(higher dividend yield)
QualityESS(higher ROIC)

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricESSIRM
P/E ratio33.01136.07
Forward P/E49.5152.17
P/S ratio9.935.11
P/B ratio3.48
PEG ratio8.97
EV / EBITDA19.1724.22

Profitability

MetricESSIRM
Gross margin69.44%25.69%
Operating margin38.38%18.01%
Net margin30.17%3.76%
ROE10.59%-14.74%
ROIC5.98%5.72%

Dividends

MetricESSIRM
Dividend yield3.51%2.73%
Payout ratio99.14%689.18%

Growth (annualized)

MetricESSIRM
Revenue CAGR (5Y)5.52%11.73%
EPS CAGR (5Y)3.68%-16.26%
Total return CAGR (5Y)1.25%28.03%

Frequently asked

Which is better, ESS or IRM?
It depends on your goal. value: ESS (lower P/E); growth: IRM (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: ESS (higher dividend yield); quality: ESS (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, ESS leads 10 to 3.
Is ESS or IRM cheaper?
On trailing earnings, ESS is cheaper: ESS trades at a 33.01 P/E and IRM at 136.07.
Which has grown faster, ESS or IRM?
Over the past five years, IRM grew revenue faster — ESS at a 5.52% CAGR versus IRM at 11.73%.
Does ESS or IRM pay a bigger dividend?
ESS yields 3.51% and IRM yields 2.73% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is ESS or IRM more profitable?
ESS runs the higher net margin — ESS at 30.17% versus IRM at 3.76%.
Which has been the better investment, ESS or IRM?
Over the past 10-year, IRM delivered the higher annualized total return — ESS at 6.10% versus IRM at 18.17%. 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 July 20, 2026.