Essex Property Trust, Inc. (ESS) vs Ventas, Inc. (VTR)

ESS leads on 10 of 15 compared metrics.

A side-by-side comparison of Essex Property Trust, Inc. and Ventas, 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 VTR

growth of $100 · last 30y
ESS +1227.2%VTR +397.6%ESS compounded faster
05001k2kStart $100200120062011201620212026$1,327$498
ESS VTR

ESS vs VTR: by the numbers

  • VTR is the larger company ($41.13B vs $18.23B market cap).
  • ESS trades at the lower earnings multiple (31.88 vs 153.82 P/E).
  • ESS converts more revenue to profit (30.17% vs 4.25% net margin).
  • VTR grew revenue faster over the past five years (10.67% vs 5.52% CAGR).
  • ESS pays the higher dividend yield (3.63% vs 2.32%).

Which is better, ESS or VTR?

Metric tally: ESS 10 · VTR 5

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueESS(lower P/E)
GrowthVTR(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeESS(higher dividend yield)
QualityESS(higher ROIC)

Valuation

MetricESSVTR
P/E ratio31.88153.82
Forward P/E46.85135.58
P/S ratio9.596.71
P/B ratio3.373.14
PEG ratio8.660.80
EV / EBITDA17.1221.90

Profitability

MetricESSVTR
Gross margin69.44%-4.26%
Operating margin38.38%13.38%
Net margin30.17%4.25%
ROE10.59%1.98%
ROIC6.13%3.16%

Dividends

MetricESSVTR
Dividend yield3.63%2.32%
Payout ratio98.94%356.36%

Growth (annualized)

MetricESSVTR
Revenue CAGR (5Y)5.52%10.67%
EPS CAGR (5Y)3.68%-14.16%
Total return CAGR (5Y)1.54%11.51%

Frequently asked

Which is better, ESS or VTR?
It depends on your goal. value: ESS (lower P/E); growth: VTR (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: ESS (higher dividend yield); quality: ESS (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, ESS leads 10 to 5.
Is ESS or VTR cheaper?
On trailing earnings, ESS is cheaper: ESS trades at a 31.88 P/E and VTR at 153.82.
Which has grown faster, ESS or VTR?
Over the past five years, VTR grew revenue faster — ESS at a 5.52% CAGR versus VTR at 10.67%.
Does ESS or VTR pay a bigger dividend?
ESS yields 3.63% and VTR yields 2.32% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is ESS or VTR more profitable?
ESS runs the higher net margin — ESS at 30.17% versus VTR at 4.25%.

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.