Essex Property (ESS) vs SBA Communications (SBAC)
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 SBA Communications (SBAC) over the past year, gaining 2.3% versus a loss of 9.6%. Over five years, ESS leads with a -19.5% price change compared with -47.9% for SBAC. Essex Property is the larger company by market cap ($18.48 billion vs $18.08 billion), about 1.0 times the size.
On valuation, SBA Communications trades at a lower forward P/E (20.8x vs 42.6x for Essex Property). Essex Property offers the higher dividend yield (3.85% vs 2.77%). SBA Communications converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 37.4% versus 37.2%.
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 | SBAC |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $268.05 | $170.38 |
| Market cap | $18.48B | $18.08B |
| 1-day change | -1.63% | +0.40% |
| YTD return | +2.43% | -11.92% |
| 1-year return | +2.28% | -9.63% |
| 5-year return | -19.53% | -47.88% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 41.69 | 18.38 |
| Forward P/E | 42.55 | 20.83 |
| EPS (TTM) | $6.43 | $9.27 |
| Dividend yield | 3.85% | 2.77% |
| Annual dividend | $10.32 | $4.72 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $1.89B | $2.82B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +6.36% | +5.06% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $702.77M | $1.05B |
| Gross margin | 69.89% | 75.46% |
| Operating margin | 47.65% | 47.70% |
| Net margin | 37.24% | 37.43% |
| 52-week high | $303.35 | $224.46 |
| 52-week low | $238.46 | $156.60 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -11.64% | -24.09% |
| Analyst consensus | hold | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +13.44% | +32.76% |
| Average volume | 498.38K | 971.19K |
| Shares outstanding | 64.27M | 106.09M |
| Employees | 1,686 | 1,844 |
| 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
- ESS has outperformed SBAC by 11.9 percentage points over the past year.
- Essex Property trades at a higher earnings multiple (41.7x vs 18.4x trailing P/E).
- Essex Property offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (3.85% vs 2.77%).
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 SBA Communications
SBAC stock →SBA Communications Corporation is a leading independent owner and operator of wireless communications infrastructure, including tower structures, rooftops and other structures that support antennas used for wireless communications. In our site leasing business, we lease space to wireless service providers and other customers on assets we own or operate, and manage rooftop and tower sites for property owners under various contractual arrangements.
Real Estate · Real Estate Investment Trusts · 1,844 employees
ESS vs SBAC FAQ
Which is bigger, Essex Property or SBA Communications?
Essex Property (ESS) is larger, with a market capitalization of $18.48B compared with $18.08B for SBA Communications (SBAC).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, ESS or SBAC?
ESS returned +2.28% over the past 12 months, compared with -9.63% for SBAC (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, ESS or SBAC?
SBAC has the lower trailing P/E at 18.4, 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 SBA Communications?
Essex Property has the higher yield at 3.85%, compared with 2.77% for SBA Communications.
Are Essex Property and SBA Communications in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Real Estate Investment Trusts industry within the Real Estate sector.