Essex Property Trust, Inc. (ESS) vs Ventas, Inc. (VTR)
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 October 4, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.
Total return — ESS vs VTR
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10yESS vs VTR: by the numbers
- •VTR is the larger company ($40.84B vs $17.26B market cap).
- •ESS converts more revenue to profit (21.63% vs 4.13% net margin).
- •VTR grew revenue faster over the past five years (11.91% vs 6.01% CAGR).
- •ESS pays the higher dividend yield (3.84% vs 2.38%).
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | ESS | VTR |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 41.78 | 155.57 |
| Forward P/E | 47.79 | 144.14 |
| PEG ratio | 11.29 | N/A |
| P/S ratio | 8.96 | 6.34 |
| P/B ratio | 3.24 | 2.79 |
| EV / EBITDA | 20.40 | 23.41 |
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 Ventas, 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.
Profitability
| Metric | ESS | VTR |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 69.38% | -2.58% |
| Operating margin | 43.88% | 12.94% |
| Net margin | 21.63% | 4.13% |
| ROE | 7.83% | 1.82% |
| ROIC | 4.34% | 2.81% |
Dividends
| Metric | ESS | VTR |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 3.84% | 2.38% |
| Payout ratio | 160.50% | 370.37% |
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.
Ventas, 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.
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | ESS | VTR |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 6.01% | 11.91% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 3.68% | -14.16% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | N/A | 0.22% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | -0.21% | 12.05% |
Frequently asked
- Which has grown faster, ESS or VTR?
- Over the past five years, VTR grew revenue faster — ESS at a 6.01% CAGR versus VTR at 11.91%.
- Does ESS or VTR pay a bigger dividend?
- ESS yields 3.84% and VTR yields 2.38% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is ESS or VTR more profitable?
- ESS runs the higher net margin — ESS at 21.63% versus VTR at 4.13%.
- How have ESS and VTR total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, ESS delivered 5.35% and VTR delivered 6.07% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Essex Property Trust & Ventas 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 October 4, 2026.