Mid-America Apartment Communities (MAA) vs Sun Communities (SUI)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
Sun Communities (SUI) has outperformed Mid-America Apartment Communities (MAA) over the past year, losing 12.2% versus a loss of 16.2%. Over five years, MAA leads with a -42.2% price change compared with -43.1% for SUI. Sun Communities is the larger company by market cap ($14.13 billion vs $13.82 billion), about 1.0 times the size.
On valuation, Sun Communities trades at a lower forward P/E (34.9x vs 35.4x for Mid-America Apartment Communities). Mid-America Apartment Communities offers the higher dividend yield (5.24% vs 3.86%). Sun Communities converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 61.3% 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 | SUI |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $116.19 | $111.80 |
| Market cap | $13.82B | $14.13B |
| 1-day change | +1.73% | +0.91% |
| YTD return | -17.78% | -10.59% |
| 1-year return | -16.16% | -12.18% |
| 5-year return | -42.19% | -43.11% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 33.97 | 84.70 |
| Forward P/E | 35.43 | 34.89 |
| EPS (TTM) | $3.42 | $1.32 |
| Dividend yield | 5.24% | 3.86% |
| Annual dividend | $6.09 | $4.32 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $2.21B | $2.31B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +0.83% | +2.02% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $446.91M | $1.41B |
| Net margin | 20.23% | 61.31% |
| 52-week high | $144.41 | $137.85 |
| 52-week low | $114.00 | $109.77 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -19.54% | -18.90% |
| Analyst consensus | hold | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +21.70% | +23.25% |
| Average volume | 1.08M | 1.68M |
| Shares outstanding | 116.02M | 121.80M |
| Employees | 2,507 | 3,607 |
| 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
- Sun Communities trades at a higher earnings multiple (84.7x vs 34.0x trailing P/E).
- Mid-America Apartment Communities offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (5.24% vs 3.86%).
- Sun Communities is more profitable, keeping 61.3 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 Sun Communities
SUI stock →Sun Communities, Inc. became a publicly owned corporation in December 1993.
Real Estate · Real Estate Investment Trusts · 3,607 employees
MAA vs SUI FAQ
Which is bigger, Mid-America Apartment Communities or Sun Communities?
Sun Communities (SUI) is larger, with a market capitalization of $14.13B compared with $13.82B for Mid-America Apartment Communities (MAA).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, MAA or SUI?
SUI returned -12.18% 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 SUI?
MAA has the lower trailing P/E at 34.0, versus 84.7 for SUI. 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 Sun Communities?
Mid-America Apartment Communities has the higher yield at 5.24%, compared with 3.86% for Sun Communities.
Are Mid-America Apartment Communities and Sun Communities in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Real Estate Investment Trusts industry within the Real Estate sector.