Crown Castle (CCI) vs Realty Income (O)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
Realty Income (O) has outperformed Crown Castle (CCI) over the past year, losing 10.5% versus a loss of 27.5%. Over five years, O leads with a -21.0% price change compared with -59.1% for CCI. Realty Income is the larger company by market cap ($50.48 billion vs $30.16 billion), about 1.7 times the size.
On valuation, Crown Castle trades at a lower forward P/E (23.8x vs 34.4x for Realty Income). Crown Castle offers the higher dividend yield (6.16% vs 6.06%). Realty Income converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 18.4% 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 | O |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $69.01 | $53.35 |
| Market cap | $30.16B | $50.48B |
| 1-day change | +1.07% | -1.66% |
| YTD return | -22.35% | -5.36% |
| 1-year return | -27.46% | -10.53% |
| 5-year return | -59.13% | -20.96% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 28.05 | 39.23 |
| Forward P/E | 23.80 | 34.35 |
| EPS (TTM) | $2.46 | $1.36 |
| Dividend yield | 6.16% | 6.06% |
| Annual dividend | $4.25 | $3.24 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $4.26B | $5.75B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | -4.39% | +9.07% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $444.00M | $1.06B |
| Gross margin | 97.35% | — |
| Operating margin | 48.66% | — |
| Net margin | 10.41% | 18.41% |
| 52-week high | $100.50 | $67.94 |
| 52-week low | $65.32 | $53.32 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -31.33% | -21.47% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | hold |
| Avg. price target upside | +36.86% | +24.44% |
| Average volume | 3.56M | 6.48M |
| Shares outstanding | 437.00M | 946.22M |
| Employees | 1,500 | 544 |
| 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
- O has outperformed CCI by 16.9 percentage points over the past year.
- Realty Income trades at a higher earnings multiple (39.2x vs 28.1x trailing P/E).
- Realty Income is more profitable, keeping 18.4 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 10.4 cents for Crown Castle.
- Realty Income grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+9.07% 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 Realty Income
O stock →Realty Income Corporation, an S&P 500 company, is real estate partner to the world's leading companies. Founded in 1969, we serve our clients as a full-service real estate capital provider.
Real Estate · Real Estate Investment Trusts · 544 employees
CCI vs O FAQ
Which is bigger, Crown Castle or Realty Income?
Realty Income (O) is larger, with a market capitalization of $50.48B compared with $30.16B for Crown Castle (CCI).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, CCI or O?
O returned -10.53% 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 O?
CCI has the lower trailing P/E at 28.1, versus 39.2 for O. 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 Realty Income?
Crown Castle has the higher yield at 6.16%, compared with 6.06% for Realty Income.
Are Crown Castle and Realty Income in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Real Estate Investment Trusts industry within the Real Estate sector.