Essex Property Trust, Inc. (ESS) vs Kimco Realty Corporation (KIM)

KIM leads on 9 of 17 compared metrics.

A side-by-side comparison of Essex Property Trust, Inc. and Kimco Realty Corporation across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 13, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

Total return — ESS vs KIM

growth of $100 · last 30y
ESS +1235.3%KIM +181.3%ESS compounded faster
05001k2kStart $100200120062011201620212026$1,335$281
ESS KIM

ESS vs KIM: by the numbers

  • ESS is the larger company ($18.23B vs $17.47B market cap).
  • KIM trades at the lower earnings multiple (29.44 vs 31.88 P/E).
  • ESS converts more revenue to profit (30.17% vs 28.51% net margin).
  • KIM grew revenue faster over the past five years (15.53% vs 5.52% CAGR).
  • KIM pays the higher dividend yield (3.98% vs 3.63%).

Which is better, ESS or KIM?

Metric tally: ESS 8 · KIM 9

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueKIM(lower P/E)
GrowthKIM(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeKIM(higher dividend yield)
QualityESS(higher ROIC)

Valuation

MetricESSKIM
P/E ratio31.8829.44
Forward P/E46.8530.36
P/S ratio9.598.06
P/B ratio3.371.68
PEG ratio8.660.46
EV / EBITDA17.1216.47
FCF yield5.27%4.48%

Profitability

MetricESSKIM
Gross margin69.44%54.71%
Operating margin38.38%36.08%
Net margin30.17%28.51%
ROE10.59%5.93%
ROIC6.13%3.80%

Dividends

MetricESSKIM
Dividend yield3.63%3.98%
Payout ratio98.94%124.10%

Growth (annualized)

MetricESSKIM
Revenue CAGR (5Y)5.52%15.53%
EPS CAGR (5Y)3.68%-18.16%
FCF CAGR (5Y)8.49%6.00%
Total return CAGR (5Y)1.54%7.84%

Frequently asked

Which is better, ESS or KIM?
It depends on your goal. value: KIM (lower P/E); growth: KIM (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: KIM (higher dividend yield); quality: ESS (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, KIM leads 9 to 8.
Is ESS or KIM cheaper?
On trailing earnings, KIM is cheaper: ESS trades at a 31.88 P/E and KIM at 29.44.
Which has grown faster, ESS or KIM?
Over the past five years, KIM grew revenue faster — ESS at a 5.52% CAGR versus KIM at 15.53%.
Does ESS or KIM pay a bigger dividend?
ESS yields 3.63% and KIM yields 3.98% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is ESS or KIM more profitable?
ESS runs the higher net margin — ESS at 30.17% versus KIM at 28.51%.
Which has been the better investment, ESS or KIM?
Over the past 10-year, ESS delivered the higher annualized total return — ESS at 6.54% versus KIM at 3.86%. 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 13, 2026.