Essex Property Trust, Inc. (ESS) vs Mid-America Apartment Communities, Inc. (MAA)
A side-by-side comparison of Essex Property Trust, Inc. and Mid-America Apartment Communities, Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of August 8, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.
ESS
Essex Property Trust, Inc.
$288.10Real EstateAt close: Aug 7, 2026, 4:00 PM ET
MAA
Mid-America Apartment Communities, Inc.
$134.96Real EstateAt close: Aug 7, 2026, 4:00 PM ET
Total return — ESS vs MAA
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 30yESS +4157.2%MAA +2619.7%ESS compounded faster
ESS MAA
ESS vs MAA: by the numbers
- •ESS is the larger company ($18.51B vs $15.71B market cap).
- •MAA trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (39.46 vs 44.81 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •ESS converts more revenue to profit (21.63% vs 18.17% net margin).
- •ESS grew revenue faster over the past five years (6.01% vs 5.36% CAGR).
- •MAA pays the higher dividend yield (4.52% vs 3.58%).
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | ESS | MAA |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 44.81 | 39.46 |
| Forward P/E | 48.73 | 39.10 |
| P/S ratio | 9.64 | 7.06 |
| P/B ratio | 3.49 | 2.88 |
| PEG ratio | 12.18 | 3.43 |
| EV / EBITDA | 21.51 | 17.22 |
| FCF yield | 5.61% | 3.63% |
Profitability
| Metric | ESS | MAA |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 69.38% | 31.83% |
| Operating margin | 43.88% | 26.88% |
| Net margin | 21.63% | 18.17% |
| ROE | 7.83% | 7.42% |
| ROIC | 4.66% | 5.27% |
Dividends
| Metric | ESS | MAA |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 3.58% | 4.52% |
| Payout ratio | 99.14% | 161.08% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | ESS | MAA |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 6.01% | 5.36% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 3.68% | 11.49% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 8.10% | 3.97% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 1.08% | -3.14% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, ESS or MAA?
- MAA has the lower trailing P/E: ESS trades at 44.81 and MAA at 39.46. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- Which has grown faster, ESS or MAA?
- Over the past five years, ESS grew revenue faster — ESS at a 6.01% CAGR versus MAA at 5.36%.
- Does ESS or MAA pay a bigger dividend?
- ESS yields 3.58% and MAA yields 4.52% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is ESS or MAA more profitable?
- ESS runs the higher net margin — ESS at 21.63% versus MAA at 18.17%.
- How have ESS and MAA total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, ESS delivered 5.69% and MAA delivered 6.46% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Essex Property Trust P/E ratioMid-America Apartment Communities P/E ratioEssex Property Trust dividend yieldMid-America Apartment Communities dividend yieldEssex Property Trust ROEMid-America Apartment Communities ROEEssex Property Trust operating marginMid-America Apartment Communities operating marginEssex Property Trust revenue growthMid-America Apartment Communities revenue growthEssex Property Trust free cash flowMid-America Apartment Communities free cash flow
Essex Property Trust & Mid-America Apartment Communities 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 August 8, 2026.