Mid-America Apartment Communities (MAA) vs SBA Communications (SBAC)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
SBA Communications (SBAC) has outperformed Mid-America Apartment Communities (MAA) over the past year, losing 9.6% versus a loss of 16.2%. Over five years, MAA leads with a -42.2% price change compared with -47.9% for SBAC. SBA Communications is the larger company by market cap ($18.08 billion vs $13.59 billion), about 1.3 times the size.
On valuation, SBA Communications trades at a lower forward P/E (20.8x vs 34.8x for Mid-America Apartment Communities). Mid-America Apartment Communities offers the higher dividend yield (5.33% vs 2.77%). SBA Communications converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 37.4% versus 20.2%.
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 | MAA | SBAC |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $114.21 | $170.38 |
| Market cap | $13.59B | $18.08B |
| 1-day change | -2.38% | +0.40% |
| YTD return | -17.78% | -11.92% |
| 1-year return | -16.16% | -9.63% |
| 5-year return | -42.19% | -47.88% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 33.39 | 18.30 |
| Forward P/E | 34.82 | 20.83 |
| EPS (TTM) | $3.42 | $9.31 |
| Dividend yield | 5.33% | 2.77% |
| Annual dividend | $6.09 | $4.72 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $2.21B | $2.82B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +0.83% | +5.06% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $446.91M | $1.05B |
| Gross margin | — | 75.46% |
| Operating margin | — | 47.70% |
| Net margin | 20.23% | 37.43% |
| 52-week high | $144.41 | $224.46 |
| 52-week low | $114.19 | $156.60 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -20.91% | -24.09% |
| Analyst consensus | hold | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +23.81% | +32.76% |
| Average volume | 1.08M | 971.19K |
| Shares outstanding | 116.02M | 106.09M |
| Employees | 2,507 | 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
- Mid-America Apartment Communities trades at a higher earnings multiple (33.4x vs 18.3x trailing P/E).
- Mid-America Apartment Communities offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (5.33% vs 2.77%).
- SBA Communications is more profitable, keeping 37.4 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 20.2 cents for Mid-America Apartment Communities.
About Mid-America Apartment Communities
MAA stock →Mid-America Apartment Communities, Inc. an S&P 500 company, is a real estate investment trust (REIT) focused on delivering full-cycle and superior investment performance for shareholders through the ownership, management, acquisition, development and redevelopment of quality apartment communities primarily in the Southeast, Southwest and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States.
Real Estate · Real Estate Investment Trusts · 2,507 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
MAA vs SBAC FAQ
Which is bigger, Mid-America Apartment Communities or SBA Communications?
SBA Communications (SBAC) is larger, with a market capitalization of $18.08B compared with $13.59B for Mid-America Apartment Communities (MAA).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, MAA or SBAC?
SBAC returned -9.63% over the past 12 months, compared with -16.16% for MAA (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, MAA or SBAC?
SBAC has the lower trailing P/E at 18.3, versus 33.4 for MAA. 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, Mid-America Apartment Communities or SBA Communications?
Mid-America Apartment Communities has the higher yield at 5.33%, compared with 2.77% for SBA Communications.
Are Mid-America Apartment Communities and SBA Communications in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Real Estate Investment Trusts industry within the Real Estate sector.