Essex Property Trust, Inc. (ESS) vs Kimco Realty Corporation (KIM)
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 September 11, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.
Total return — ESS vs KIM
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10yESS vs KIM: by the numbers
- •ESS is the larger company ($17.54B vs $15.64B market cap).
- •KIM converts more revenue to profit (27.73% vs 21.63% net margin).
- •KIM grew revenue faster over the past five years (14.73% vs 6.01% CAGR).
- •KIM pays the higher dividend yield (4.42% vs 3.80%).
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | ESS | KIM |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 42.44 | 26.06 |
| Forward P/E | 48.29 | 27.69 |
| P/S ratio | 9.10 | 7.15 |
| P/B ratio | 3.29 | 1.52 |
| EV / EBITDA | 20.63 | 16.91 |
| FCF yield | 5.72% | 5.48% |
For REITs like Essex Property Trust, Inc., GAAP P/E is distorted: heavy non-cash property depreciation depresses reported earnings and overstates the multiple. Real-estate companies are valued on funds from operations (FFO / AFFO) and price-to-FFO — see the Funds From Operations section. The P/E is shown for reference only.
For REITs like Kimco Realty Corporation, GAAP P/E is distorted: heavy non-cash property depreciation depresses reported earnings and overstates the multiple. Real-estate companies are valued on funds from operations (FFO / AFFO) and price-to-FFO — see the Funds From Operations section. The P/E is shown for reference only.
Profitability
| Metric | ESS | KIM |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 69.38% | 54.85% |
| Operating margin | 43.88% | 35.80% |
| Net margin | 21.63% | 27.73% |
| ROE | 7.83% | 5.91% |
| ROIC | 4.34% | 3.95% |
Dividends
| Metric | ESS | KIM |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 3.80% | 4.42% |
| Payout ratio | 160.50% | 115.73% |
Essex Property Trust, Inc.'s payout ratio is measured against GAAP earnings, which non-cash depreciation depresses for REITs — the dividend is conventionally assessed against funds from operations (FFO / AFFO) instead, so the GAAP figure overstates the payout burden.
Kimco Realty Corporation's payout ratio is measured against GAAP earnings, which non-cash depreciation depresses for REITs — the dividend is conventionally assessed against funds from operations (FFO / AFFO) instead, so the GAAP figure overstates the payout burden.
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | ESS | KIM |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 6.01% | 14.73% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 3.68% | -18.16% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 8.10% | 5.82% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 0.19% | 6.61% |
Frequently asked
- Which has grown faster, ESS or KIM?
- Over the past five years, KIM grew revenue faster — ESS at a 6.01% CAGR versus KIM at 14.73%.
- Does ESS or KIM pay a bigger dividend?
- ESS yields 3.80% and KIM yields 4.42% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is ESS or KIM more profitable?
- KIM runs the higher net margin — ESS at 21.63% versus KIM at 27.73%.
- How have ESS and KIM total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, ESS delivered 5.56% and KIM delivered 2.91% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Essex Property Trust & Kimco Realty 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 September 11, 2026.