Essex Property (ESS) vs Invitation Homes (INVH)
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 Invitation Homes (INVH) over the past year, gaining 2.7% versus a loss of 6.9%. Over five years, ESS leads with a -19.5% price change compared with -35.6% for INVH. Essex Property is the larger company by market cap ($18.48 billion vs $15.27 billion), about 1.2 times the size.
On valuation, Invitation Homes trades at a lower forward P/E (36.4x vs 42.6x for Essex Property). Invitation Homes offers the higher dividend yield (4.60% vs 3.85%). Essex Property converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 37.2% versus 21.5%.
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 | INVH |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $268.05 | $25.86 |
| Market cap | $18.48B | $15.27B |
| 1-day change | -1.63% | -2.01% |
| YTD return | +2.89% | -5.78% |
| 1-year return | +2.74% | -6.95% |
| 5-year return | -19.53% | -35.64% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 41.69 | 23.72 |
| Forward P/E | 42.55 | 36.38 |
| EPS (TTM) | $6.43 | $1.09 |
| Dividend yield | 3.85% | 4.60% |
| Annual dividend | $10.32 | $1.19 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $1.89B | $2.73B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +6.36% | +4.21% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $702.77M | $587.92M |
| Gross margin | 69.89% | — |
| Operating margin | 47.65% | — |
| Net margin | 37.24% | 21.54% |
| 52-week high | $303.35 | $30.89 |
| 52-week low | $238.46 | $24.25 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -11.64% | -16.29% |
| Analyst consensus | hold | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +13.44% | +29.62% |
| Average volume | 498.38K | 4.43M |
| Shares outstanding | 64.27M | 590.62M |
| Employees | 1,686 | 1,725 |
| Sector | Real Estate | Finance |
| Industry | Real Estate Investment Trusts | Real Estate |
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
- Essex Property trades at a higher earnings multiple (41.7x vs 23.7x trailing P/E).
- Essex Property is more profitable, keeping 37.2 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 21.5 cents for Invitation Homes.
- The two companies sit in different sectors: Essex Property in Real Estate and Invitation Homes in Finance.
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 Invitation Homes
INVH stock →Invitation Homes Inc., an S&P 500 company, is the nation's premier single-family home leasing and management company, helping to expand housing through new development and strategic partnerships. Their purpose, Unlock the Power of Home, reflects their commitment to address America's housing needs by delivering high-quality living solutions and genuine care to those who choose the flexibility and value of leasing.
Finance · Real Estate · 1,725 employees
ESS vs INVH FAQ
Which is bigger, Essex Property or Invitation Homes?
Essex Property (ESS) is larger, with a market capitalization of $18.48B compared with $15.27B for Invitation Homes (INVH).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, ESS or INVH?
ESS returned +2.74% over the past 12 months, compared with -6.95% for INVH (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, ESS or INVH?
INVH has the lower trailing P/E at 23.7, 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 Invitation Homes?
Invitation Homes has the higher yield at 4.60%, compared with 3.85% for Essex Property.
Are Essex Property and Invitation Homes in the same industry?
No. Essex Property is in the Real Estate sector, while Invitation Homes is in Finance.