Crown Castle (CCI) vs Essex Property (ESS)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 7, 2026.
Summary
Essex Property (ESS) has outperformed Crown Castle (CCI) over the past year, gaining 2.3% versus a loss of 27.5%. Over five years, ESS leads with a -19.5% price change compared with -59.1% for CCI. Crown Castle is the larger company by market cap ($30.16 billion vs $18.48 billion), about 1.6 times the size, while Essex Property is growing revenue faster (+6.4% vs -4.4%).
On valuation, Crown Castle trades at a lower forward P/E (23.8x vs 42.6x for Essex Property). Crown Castle offers the higher dividend yield (6.16% vs 3.85%). Essex Property converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 37.2% versus 10.4%.
Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology
Relative performance
Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.
Head-to-head
| Metric | CCI | ESS |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $69.01 | $268.05 |
| Market cap | $30.16B | $18.48B |
| 1-day change | +1.07% | -1.63% |
| YTD return | -22.35% | +2.43% |
| 1-year return | -27.46% | +2.28% |
| 5-year return | -59.13% | -19.53% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 28.05 | 41.69 |
| Forward P/E | 23.80 | 42.55 |
| EPS (TTM) | $2.46 | $6.43 |
| Dividend yield | 6.16% | 3.85% |
| Annual dividend | $4.25 | $10.32 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $4.26B | $1.89B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | -4.39% | +6.36% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $444.00M | $702.77M |
| Gross margin | 97.35% | 69.89% |
| Operating margin | 48.66% | 47.65% |
| Net margin | 10.41% | 37.24% |
| 52-week high | $100.50 | $303.35 |
| 52-week low | $65.32 | $238.46 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -31.33% | -11.64% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | hold |
| Avg. price target upside | +36.86% | +13.44% |
| Average volume | 3.56M | 498.53K |
| Shares outstanding | 437.00M | 64.27M |
| Employees | 1,500 | 1,686 |
| Sector | Real Estate | Real Estate |
| Industry | Real Estate Investment Trusts | Real Estate Investment Trusts |
Highlighted cells mark the higher value for growth, returns, margins and yield, and the lower value for P/E ratios. Highlighting is a mechanical comparison, not a recommendation.
Key differences
- ESS has outperformed CCI by 29.7 percentage points over the past year.
- Essex Property trades at a higher earnings multiple (41.7x vs 28.1x trailing P/E).
- Crown Castle offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (6.16% vs 3.85%).
- Essex Property is more profitable, keeping 37.2 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 10.4 cents for Crown Castle.
- Essex Property grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+6.36% vs -4.39%).
About Crown Castle
CCI stock →Crown Castle owns, operates and leases approximately 40,000 cell towers across the U.S. This nationwide portfolio serves as the foundation of wireless connectivity that provides cities and communities access to essential data, technology and wireless service bringing information, ideas, innovations and the connectivity of modern life to help people and businesses thrive.
Real Estate · Real Estate Investment Trusts · 1,500 employees
About Essex Property
ESS stock →Essex Property Trust, Inc., an S&P 500 company, is a fully integrated real estate investment trust. The firm acquires, develops, redevelops, and manages multifamily residential properties in selected West Coast markets.
Real Estate · Real Estate Investment Trusts · 1,686 employees
CCI vs ESS FAQ
Which is bigger, Crown Castle or Essex Property?
Crown Castle (CCI) is larger, with a market capitalization of $30.16B compared with $18.48B for Essex Property (ESS).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, CCI or ESS?
ESS returned +2.28% over the past 12 months, compared with -27.46% for CCI (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, CCI or ESS?
CCI has the lower trailing P/E at 28.1, versus 41.7 for ESS. A lower P/E is not by itself a sign of a better investment; it can reflect slower expected growth or higher risk.
Which pays a higher dividend, Crown Castle or Essex Property?
Crown Castle has the higher yield at 6.16%, compared with 3.85% for Essex Property.
Are Crown Castle and Essex Property in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Real Estate Investment Trusts industry within the Real Estate sector.