Essex Property (ESS) vs Host Hotels & Resorts (HST)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 7, 2026.
Summary
Host Hotels & Resorts (HST) has outperformed Essex Property (ESS) over the past year, gaining 35.4% versus a gain of 2.3%. Over five years, HST leads with a +32.5% price change compared with -19.5% for ESS. Essex Property is the larger company by market cap ($18.48 billion vs $15.45 billion), about 1.2 times the size, while Host Hotels & Resorts is growing revenue faster (+7.6% vs +6.4%).
On valuation, Host Hotels & Resorts trades at a lower forward P/E (21.1x vs 42.6x for Essex Property). Essex Property offers the higher dividend yield (3.85% vs 3.60%). Essex Property converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 37.2% versus 12.5%.
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 | ESS | HST |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $268.05 | $22.24 |
| Market cap | $18.48B | $15.45B |
| 1-day change | -1.63% | -1.07% |
| YTD return | +2.43% | +25.44% |
| 1-year return | +2.28% | +35.36% |
| 5-year return | -19.53% | +32.54% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 41.69 | 15.03 |
| Forward P/E | 42.55 | 21.07 |
| EPS (TTM) | $6.43 | $1.48 |
| Dividend yield | 3.85% | 3.60% |
| Annual dividend | $10.32 | $0.80 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $1.89B | $6.11B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +6.36% | +7.57% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $702.77M | $765.00M |
| Gross margin | 69.89% | — |
| Operating margin | 47.65% | 13.98% |
| Net margin | 37.24% | 12.51% |
| 52-week high | $303.35 | $25.71 |
| 52-week low | $238.46 | $15.61 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -11.64% | -13.50% |
| Analyst consensus | hold | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +13.44% | +13.71% |
| Average volume | 498.53K | 8.99M |
| Shares outstanding | 64.27M | 685.12M |
| Employees | 1,686 | 162 |
| 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
- HST has outperformed ESS by 33.1 percentage points over the past year.
- Essex Property trades at a higher earnings multiple (41.7x vs 15.0x trailing P/E).
- Essex Property is more profitable, keeping 37.2 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 12.5 cents for Host Hotels & Resorts.
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
About Host Hotels & Resorts
HST stock →Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc. is an S&P 500 company and is the largest lodging real estate investment trust and one of the largest owners of luxury and upper-upscale hotels.
Real Estate · Real Estate Investment Trusts · 162 employees
ESS vs HST FAQ
Which is bigger, Essex Property or Host Hotels & Resorts?
Essex Property (ESS) is larger, with a market capitalization of $18.48B compared with $15.45B for Host Hotels & Resorts (HST).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, ESS or HST?
HST returned +35.36% over the past 12 months, compared with +2.28% for ESS (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, ESS or HST?
HST has the lower trailing P/E at 15.0, 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, Essex Property or Host Hotels & Resorts?
Essex Property has the higher yield at 3.85%, compared with 3.60% for Host Hotels & Resorts.
Are Essex Property and Host Hotels & Resorts in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Real Estate Investment Trusts industry within the Real Estate sector.