Mid-America Apartment Communities, Inc. (MAA) vs SBA Communications Corporation (SBAC)

SBAC leads on 10 of 13 compared metrics.

A side-by-side comparison of Mid-America Apartment Communities, Inc. and SBA Communications Corporation across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 24, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

Compare

Total return — MAA vs SBAC

growth of $100 · last 27y
MAA +483.7%SBAC +2012.5%SBAC compounded faster
01k2k3k4kStart $10020042009201420192024$584$2,113
MAA SBAC

MAA vs SBAC: by the numbers

  • SBAC is the larger company ($19.73B vs $15.58B market cap).
  • SBAC trades at the lower earnings multiple (19.94 vs 40.57 P/E).
  • SBAC converts more revenue to profit (35.66% vs 17.60% net margin).
  • SBAC grew revenue faster over the past five years (6.18% vs 5.61% CAGR).
  • MAA pays the higher dividend yield (4.55% vs 2.49%).

Which is better, MAA or SBAC?

Metric tally: MAA 3 · SBAC 10

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueSBAC(lower P/E)
GrowthSBAC(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeMAA(higher dividend yield)
QualitySBAC(higher ROIC)

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricMAASBAC
P/E ratio40.5719.94
Forward P/E39.9322.58
P/S ratio7.047.05
P/B ratio2.80
PEG ratio3.530.48
EV / EBITDA17.2416.73

Profitability

MetricMAASBAC
Gross margin39.58%63.62%
Operating margin27.43%47.63%
Net margin17.60%35.66%
ROE7.01%-21.71%
ROIC5.58%10.05%

Dividends

MetricMAASBAC
Dividend yield4.55%2.49%
Payout ratio160.69%48.02%

Growth (annualized)

MetricMAASBAC
Revenue CAGR (5Y)5.61%6.18%
EPS CAGR (5Y)11.49%113.83%
Total return CAGR (5Y)-1.07%-8.61%

Frequently asked

Which is better, MAA or SBAC?
It depends on your goal. value: SBAC (lower P/E); growth: SBAC (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: MAA (higher dividend yield); quality: SBAC (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, SBAC leads 10 to 3.
Is MAA or SBAC cheaper?
On trailing earnings, SBAC is cheaper: MAA trades at a 40.57 P/E and SBAC at 19.94.
Which has grown faster, MAA or SBAC?
Over the past five years, SBAC grew revenue faster — MAA at a 5.61% CAGR versus SBAC at 6.18%.
Does MAA or SBAC pay a bigger dividend?
MAA yields 4.55% and SBAC yields 2.49% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is MAA or SBAC more profitable?
SBAC runs the higher net margin — MAA at 17.60% versus SBAC at 35.66%.
Which has been the better investment, MAA or SBAC?
Over the past 10-year, SBAC delivered the higher annualized total return — MAA at 6.43% versus SBAC at 7.04%. 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 24, 2026.