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).
Total return — ESS vs UDR
growth of $100 · last 30yESS +1227.2%UDR +167.1%ESS compounded faster
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 9It 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
| Metric | ESS | UDR |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 31.88 | 26.99● |
| Forward P/E | 46.85● | 74.50 |
| P/S ratio | 9.59 | 7.58● |
| P/B ratio | 3.37● | 3.96 |
| PEG ratio | 8.66 | 0.10● |
| EV / EBITDA | 17.12 | 14.52● |
Profitability
| Metric | ESS | UDR |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 69.44%● | 46.00% |
| Operating margin | 38.38%● | 27.36% |
| Net margin | 30.17%● | 28.60% |
| ROE | 10.59% | 14.94%● |
| ROIC | 6.13% | 29.38%● |
Dividends
| Metric | ESS | UDR |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 3.63% | 4.38%● |
| Payout ratio | 98.94% | 152.65% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | ESS | UDR |
|---|---|---|
| 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.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Essex Property Trust P/E ratioUDR P/E ratioEssex Property Trust dividend yieldUDR dividend yieldEssex Property Trust ROEUDR ROEEssex Property Trust operating marginUDR operating marginEssex Property Trust revenue growthUDR revenue growthEssex Property Trust free cash flowUDR free cash flow
Essex Property Trust & UDR 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 June 14, 2026.