Essex Property (ESS) vs Ventas (VTR)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
Ventas (VTR) has outperformed Essex Property (ESS) over the past year, gaining 16.3% versus a gain of 2.3%. Over five years, VTR leads with a +43.0% price change compared with -19.5% for ESS. Ventas is the larger company by market cap ($41.06 billion vs $18.48 billion), about 2.2 times the size.
On valuation, Essex Property trades at a lower forward P/E (42.6x vs 101.3x for Ventas). Essex Property offers the higher dividend yield (3.85% vs 2.50%). Essex Property converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 37.2% versus 4.5%.
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 | VTR |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $268.05 | $80.04 |
| Market cap | $18.48B | $41.06B |
| 1-day change | -1.63% | -2.22% |
| YTD return | +2.43% | +3.44% |
| 1-year return | +2.28% | +16.25% |
| 5-year return | -19.53% | +43.01% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 42.35 | 151.02 |
| Forward P/E | 42.55 | 101.32 |
| EPS (TTM) | $6.33 | $0.53 |
| Dividend yield | 3.85% | 2.50% |
| Annual dividend | $10.32 | $2.00 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $1.89B | $5.83B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +6.36% | +18.47% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $702.77M | $261.52M |
| Gross margin | 69.89% | — |
| Operating margin | 47.65% | — |
| Net margin | 37.24% | 4.48% |
| 52-week high | $303.35 | $101.60 |
| 52-week low | $238.46 | $66.93 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -11.64% | -21.22% |
| Analyst consensus | hold | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +13.44% | +27.21% |
| Average volume | 498.53K | 3.43M |
| Shares outstanding | 64.27M | 512.95M |
| Employees | 1,686 | 542 |
| 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
- Ventas is about 2.2 times larger than Essex Property by market value ($41.06B vs $18.48B).
- VTR has outperformed ESS by 14.0 percentage points over the past year.
- Ventas trades at a higher earnings multiple (151.0x vs 42.3x trailing P/E).
- Essex Property offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (3.85% vs 2.50%).
- Essex Property is more profitable, keeping 37.2 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 4.5 cents for Ventas.
- Ventas grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+18.47% vs +6.36%).
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 Ventas
VTR stock →Ventas, Inc. is an S&P 500 company enabling exceptional environments that benefit a large and growing aging population.
Real Estate · Real Estate Investment Trusts · 542 employees
ESS vs VTR FAQ
Which is bigger, Essex Property or Ventas?
Ventas (VTR) is larger, with a market capitalization of $41.06B compared with $18.48B for Essex Property (ESS).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, ESS or VTR?
VTR returned +16.25% 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 VTR?
ESS has the lower trailing P/E at 42.3, versus 151.0 for VTR. 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 Ventas?
Essex Property has the higher yield at 3.85%, compared with 2.50% for Ventas.
Are Essex Property and Ventas in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Real Estate Investment Trusts industry within the Real Estate sector.