Camden Property (CPT) vs Equity Lifestyle Properties (ELS)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
Equity Lifestyle Properties (ELS) has outperformed Camden Property (CPT) over the past year, losing 6.5% versus a loss of 7.3%. Over five years, ELS leads with a -30.6% price change compared with -38.9% for CPT. Equity Lifestyle Properties is the larger company by market cap ($11.63 billion vs $11.09 billion), about 1.0 times the size, while Camden Property is growing revenue faster (+81.7% vs +0.3%).
On valuation, Equity Lifestyle Properties trades at a lower forward P/E (26.6x vs 87.9x for Camden Property). Camden Property offers the higher dividend yield (4.41% vs 3.65%). Camden Property converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 2964.9% versus 26.3%.
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 | CPT | ELS |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $95.80 | $57.98 |
| Market cap | $11.09B | $11.63B |
| 1-day change | -1.89% | -1.29% |
| YTD return | -12.97% | -4.34% |
| 1-year return | -7.32% | -6.53% |
| 5-year return | -38.95% | -30.62% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 32.26 | 28.42 |
| Forward P/E | 87.89 | 26.56 |
| EPS (TTM) | $2.97 | $2.04 |
| Dividend yield | 4.41% | 3.65% |
| Annual dividend | $4.22 | $2.12 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $12.97M | $1.53B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +81.69% | +0.34% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $384.46M | $402.06M |
| Gross margin | -4270.40% | — |
| Operating margin | — | 25.56% |
| Net margin | 2964.93% | 26.25% |
| 52-week high | $119.81 | $69.00 |
| 52-week low | $95.45 | $57.46 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -20.04% | -15.97% |
| Analyst consensus | hold | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +20.48% | +20.01% |
| Average volume | 1.02M | 1.59M |
| Shares outstanding | 115.73M | 194.06M |
| Employees | 1,640 | 3,700 |
| 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
- Camden Property is more profitable, keeping 2964.9 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 26.3 cents for Equity Lifestyle Properties.
- Camden Property grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+81.69% vs +0.34%).
About Camden Property
CPT stock →Camden Property Trust, an S&P 500 Company, is a real estate company primarily engaged in the ownership, management, development, redevelopment, acquisition, and construction of multifamily apartment communities. Camden owns and operates 173 properties containing 58,811 apartment homes across the United States.
Real Estate · Real Estate Investment Trusts · 1,640 employees
About Equity Lifestyle Properties
ELS stock →Equity LifeStyle Properties, Inc. is a self-administered, self-managed real estate investment trust.
Real Estate · Real Estate Investment Trusts · 3,700 employees
CPT vs ELS FAQ
Which is bigger, Camden Property or Equity Lifestyle Properties?
Equity Lifestyle Properties (ELS) is larger, with a market capitalization of $11.63B compared with $11.09B for Camden Property (CPT).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, CPT or ELS?
ELS returned -6.53% over the past 12 months, compared with -7.32% for CPT (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, CPT or ELS?
ELS has the lower trailing P/E at 28.4, versus 32.3 for CPT. 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, Camden Property or Equity Lifestyle Properties?
Camden Property has the higher yield at 4.41%, compared with 3.65% for Equity Lifestyle Properties.
Are Camden Property and Equity Lifestyle Properties in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Real Estate Investment Trusts industry within the Real Estate sector.