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).
MAA
Mid-America Apartment Communities, Inc.
$133.89Real Estate
SBAC
SBA Communications Corporation
$189.59Real Estate
Total return — MAA vs SBAC
growth of $100 · last 27yMAA +483.7%SBAC +2012.5%SBAC compounded faster
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 10It 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
| Metric | MAA | SBAC |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 40.57 | 19.94● |
| Forward P/E | 39.93 | 22.58● |
| P/S ratio | 7.04 | 7.05 |
| P/B ratio | 2.80 | — |
| PEG ratio | 3.53 | 0.48● |
| EV / EBITDA | 17.24 | 16.73● |
Profitability
| Metric | MAA | SBAC |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 39.58% | 63.62%● |
| Operating margin | 27.43% | 47.63%● |
| Net margin | 17.60% | 35.66%● |
| ROE | 7.01%● | -21.71% |
| ROIC | 5.58% | 10.05%● |
Dividends
| Metric | MAA | SBAC |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 4.55%● | 2.49% |
| Payout ratio | 160.69% | 48.02% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | MAA | SBAC |
|---|---|---|
| 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.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Mid-America Apartment Communities P/E ratioSBA Communications P/E ratioMid-America Apartment Communities dividend yieldSBA Communications dividend yieldMid-America Apartment Communities ROESBA Communications ROEMid-America Apartment Communities operating marginSBA Communications operating marginMid-America Apartment Communities revenue growthSBA Communications revenue growthMid-America Apartment Communities free cash flowSBA Communications free cash flow
Mid-America Apartment Communities & SBA Communications 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 24, 2026.