Mid-America Apartment Communities (MAA) vs W. P. Carey REIT (WPC)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 7, 2026.
Summary
W. P. Carey REIT (WPC) has outperformed Mid-America Apartment Communities (MAA) over the past year, losing 8.0% versus a loss of 16.2%. Over five years, WPC leads with a -16.8% price change compared with -42.2% for MAA. W. P. Carey REIT is the larger company by market cap ($14.29 billion vs $13.59 billion), about 1.1 times the size.
On valuation, W. P. Carey REIT trades at a lower forward P/E (19.9x vs 34.8x for Mid-America Apartment Communities). W. P. Carey REIT offers the higher dividend yield (5.90% vs 5.33%). W. P. Carey REIT converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 27.2% 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 | WPC |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $114.21 | $62.73 |
| Market cap | $13.59B | $14.29B |
| 1-day change | -2.38% | -2.00% |
| YTD return | -17.78% | -2.53% |
| 1-year return | -16.16% | -8.03% |
| 5-year return | -42.19% | -16.81% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 33.39 | 21.48 |
| Forward P/E | 34.82 | 19.92 |
| EPS (TTM) | $3.42 | $2.92 |
| Dividend yield | 5.33% | 5.90% |
| Annual dividend | $6.09 | $3.70 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $2.21B | $1.72B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +0.83% | +8.43% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $446.91M | $466.36M |
| Net margin | 20.23% | 27.17% |
| 52-week high | $144.41 | $77.22 |
| 52-week low | $114.19 | $62.71 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -20.91% | -18.76% |
| Analyst consensus | hold | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +23.81% | +24.57% |
| Average volume | 1.08M | 1.40M |
| Shares outstanding | 116.02M | 227.82M |
| Employees | 2,507 | 199 |
| 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 21.5x trailing P/E).
- W. P. Carey REIT is more profitable, keeping 27.2 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 20.2 cents for Mid-America Apartment Communities.
- W. P. Carey REIT grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+8.43% vs +0.83%).
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 W. P. Carey REIT
WPC stock →W. P.
Real Estate · Real Estate Investment Trusts · 199 employees
MAA vs WPC FAQ
Which is bigger, Mid-America Apartment Communities or W. P. Carey REIT?
W. P. Carey REIT (WPC) is larger, with a market capitalization of $14.29B compared with $13.59B for Mid-America Apartment Communities (MAA).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, MAA or WPC?
WPC returned -8.03% 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 WPC?
WPC has the lower trailing P/E at 21.5, 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 W. P. Carey REIT?
W. P. Carey REIT has the higher yield at 5.90%, compared with 5.33% for Mid-America Apartment Communities.
Are Mid-America Apartment Communities and W. P. Carey REIT in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Real Estate Investment Trusts industry within the Real Estate sector.