Cousins Properties (CUZ) vs Public Storage (PSA)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
Cousins Properties (CUZ) has outperformed Public Storage (PSA) over the past year, losing 1.7% versus a loss of 2.6%. Over five years, PSA leads with a -11.7% price change compared with -31.3% for CUZ. Public Storage is the larger company by market cap ($53.35 billion vs $4.56 billion), about 11.7 times the size, while Cousins Properties is growing revenue faster (+16.0% vs +2.7%).
On valuation, Public Storage trades at a lower forward P/E (29.0x vs 69.3x for Cousins Properties). Cousins Properties offers the higher dividend yield (4.62% vs 4.20%). Public Storage converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 37.0% versus 4.1%.
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 | CUZ | PSA |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $27.72 | $285.52 |
| Market cap | $4.56B | $53.35B |
| 1-day change | +0.69% | +1.25% |
| YTD return | +6.79% | +10.03% |
| 1-year return | -1.71% | -2.60% |
| 5-year return | -31.26% | -11.72% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 693.00 | 27.27 |
| Forward P/E | 69.30 | 28.98 |
| EPS (TTM) | $0.04 | $10.47 |
| Dividend yield | 4.62% | 4.20% |
| Annual dividend | $1.28 | $12.00 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $993.82M | $4.82B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +16.00% | +2.74% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $40.50M | $1.78B |
| Gross margin | 68.35% | — |
| Operating margin | 67.75% | — |
| Net margin | 4.08% | 36.99% |
| 52-week high | $32.95 | $335.55 |
| 52-week low | $21.03 | $256.54 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -15.87% | -14.91% |
| Analyst consensus | strong_buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +21.03% | +17.35% |
| Average volume | 1.48M | 980.78K |
| Shares outstanding | 164.60M | 186.85M |
| Employees | 351 | 5,770 |
| 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
- Public Storage is about 11.7 times larger than Cousins Properties by market value ($53.35B vs $4.56B).
- Cousins Properties trades at a higher earnings multiple (693.0x vs 27.3x trailing P/E).
- Public Storage is more profitable, keeping 37.0 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 4.1 cents for Cousins Properties.
- Cousins Properties grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+16.00% vs +2.74%).
About Cousins Properties
CUZ stock →Cousins Properties Incorporated is a fully integrated, self-administered, and self-managed real estate investment trust (REIT). The Company, based in Atlanta, GA and acting through its operating partnership, Cousins Properties LP, primarily invests in Class A office buildings located in high-growth Sun Belt markets.
Real Estate · Real Estate Investment Trusts · 351 employees
About Public Storage
PSA stock →Public Storage, a member of the S&P 500, is a REIT that primarily acquires, develops, owns, and operates self-storage facilities. At June 30, 2026, The firm: (i) owned and/or operated 3,584 self-storage facilities located in 40 states with approximately 259 million net rentable square feet in the United States and (ii) owned a 35% common equity interest in Shurgard Self Storage Limited (Euronext Brussels: SHUR), which owned 335 self-storage facilities located in seven Western European countries with approximately 19 million net rentable square feet operated under the Shurgard brand.
Real Estate · Real Estate Investment Trusts · 5,770 employees
CUZ vs PSA FAQ
Which is bigger, Cousins Properties or Public Storage?
Public Storage (PSA) is larger, with a market capitalization of $53.35B compared with $4.56B for Cousins Properties (CUZ).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, CUZ or PSA?
CUZ returned -1.71% over the past 12 months, compared with -2.60% for PSA (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, CUZ or PSA?
PSA has the lower trailing P/E at 27.3, versus 693.0 for CUZ. 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, Cousins Properties or Public Storage?
Cousins Properties has the higher yield at 4.62%, compared with 4.20% for Public Storage.
Are Cousins Properties and Public Storage in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Real Estate Investment Trusts industry within the Real Estate sector.