Essex Property Trust, Inc. (ESS) vs UDR, Inc. (UDR)

UDR leads on 9 of 15 compared metrics.

A side-by-side comparison of Essex Property Trust, Inc. and UDR, Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 14, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

Compare

Total return — ESS vs UDR

growth of $100 · last 30y
ESS +1227.2%UDR +167.1%ESS compounded faster
05001k2kStart $100200120062011201620212026$1,327$267
ESS UDR

ESS vs UDR: by the numbers

  • ESS is the larger company ($18.23B vs $12.80B market cap).
  • UDR trades at the lower earnings multiple (26.99 vs 31.88 P/E).
  • ESS converts more revenue to profit (30.17% vs 28.60% net margin).
  • UDR grew revenue faster over the past five years (7.05% vs 5.52% CAGR).
  • UDR pays the higher dividend yield (4.38% vs 3.63%).

Which is better, ESS or UDR?

Metric tally: ESS 6 · UDR 9

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueUDR(lower P/E)
GrowthUDR(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeUDR(higher dividend yield)
QualityUDR(higher ROIC)

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricESSUDR
P/E ratio31.8826.99
Forward P/E46.8574.50
P/S ratio9.597.58
P/B ratio3.373.96
PEG ratio8.660.10
EV / EBITDA17.1214.52

Profitability

MetricESSUDR
Gross margin69.44%46.00%
Operating margin38.38%27.36%
Net margin30.17%28.60%
ROE10.59%14.94%
ROIC6.13%29.38%

Dividends

MetricESSUDR
Dividend yield3.63%4.38%
Payout ratio98.94%152.65%

Growth (annualized)

MetricESSUDR
Revenue CAGR (5Y)5.52%7.05%
EPS CAGR (5Y)3.68%41.39%
Total return CAGR (5Y)1.54%-0.94%

Frequently asked

Which is better, ESS or UDR?
It depends on your goal. value: UDR (lower P/E); growth: UDR (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: UDR (higher dividend yield); quality: UDR (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, UDR leads 9 to 6.
Is ESS or UDR cheaper?
On trailing earnings, UDR is cheaper: ESS trades at a 31.88 P/E and UDR at 26.99.
Which has grown faster, ESS or UDR?
Over the past five years, UDR grew revenue faster — ESS at a 5.52% CAGR versus UDR at 7.05%.
Does ESS or UDR pay a bigger dividend?
ESS yields 3.63% and UDR yields 4.38% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is ESS or UDR more profitable?
ESS runs the higher net margin — ESS at 30.17% versus UDR at 28.60%.
Which has been the better investment, ESS or UDR?
Over the past 10-year, ESS delivered the higher annualized total return — ESS at 6.54% versus UDR at 5.33%. 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 14, 2026.