ESS vs. EXR: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison

Updated on August 19, 2025

Here’s a clear look at ESS and EXR, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.

Company Profile

Both ESS and EXR are Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs). These entities are required to distribute the majority of their taxable income to shareholders, often resulting in higher dividend yields.

Symbol	ESS	EXR
Company Name	Essex Property Trust, Inc.	Extra Space Storage Inc.
Country	United States	United States
GICS Sector	Real Estate	Real Estate
GICS Industry	Residential REITs	Specialized REITs
Market Capitalization	17.87 billion USD	30.63 billion USD
Exchange	NYSE	NYSE
Listing Date	June 7, 1994	August 16, 2004
Security Type	REIT	REIT

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of ESS and EXR by tracking the growth of an initial $10,000 investment in each. Use the tabs to select the desired time period. Data is adjusted for dividends and splits.

ESS vs. EXR: Growth of a $10,000 investment over the past one year.

Historical Performance at a Glance

Symbol	ESS	EXR
5-Day Price Return	0.67%	-0.06%
13-Week Price Return	-9.63%	-7.17%
26-Week Price Return	-13.20%	-11.43%
52-Week Price Return	-8.12%	-15.78%
Month-to-Date Return	-0.56%	2.87%
Year-to-Date Return	-9.36%	-7.61%
10-Day Avg. Volume	0.66M	1.67M
3-Month Avg. Volume	0.51M	1.12M
3-Month Volatility	25.66%	28.89%
Beta	0.84	1.13

Profitability

Return on Equity (TTM)

ESS

14.44%

Residential REITs Industry

Max: 12.21%
Q3: 9.45%
Median: 7.42%
Q1: 2.50%
Min: 0.37%

ESS’s Return on Equity of 14.44% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Residential REITs industry. This demonstrates a superior ability to generate profit from shareholder investments, though it could also be inflated by high financial leverage.

EXR

7.02%

Specialized REITs Industry

Max: 37.66%
Q3: 20.19%
Median: 8.96%
Q1: 6.32%
Min: -1.71%

EXR’s Return on Equity of 7.02% is on par with the norm for the Specialized REITs industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.

ESS vs. EXR: A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against their respective Residential REITs and Specialized REITs industry benchmarks.

Net Profit Margin (TTM)

ESS

43.51%

Residential REITs Industry

Max: 67.49%
Q3: 38.86%
Median: 25.74%
Q1: 7.62%
Min: 0.15%

In the Residential REITs industry, Net Profit Margin is often not the primary profitability metric.

EXR

29.51%

Specialized REITs Industry

Max: 67.81%
Q3: 40.70%
Median: 25.91%
Q1: 11.01%
Min: 1.95%

In the Specialized REITs industry, Net Profit Margin is often not the primary profitability metric.

ESS vs. EXR: A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Residential REITs and Specialized REITs industry benchmarks.

Operating Profit Margin (TTM)

ESS

52.69%

Residential REITs Industry

Max: 54.06%
Q3: 45.82%
Median: 29.89%
Q1: 19.34%
Min: 5.28%

In the Residential REITs industry, Operating Profit Margin is often not the primary measure of operational efficiency.

EXR

43.69%

Specialized REITs Industry

Max: 107.13%
Q3: 55.10%
Median: 41.03%
Q1: 17.97%
Min: 5.94%

In the Specialized REITs industry, Operating Profit Margin is often not the primary measure of operational efficiency.

ESS vs. EXR: A comparison of their Operating Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Residential REITs and Specialized REITs industry benchmarks.

Profitability at a Glance

Symbol	ESS	EXR
Return on Equity (TTM)	14.44%	7.02%
Return on Assets (TTM)	6.16%	3.39%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)	43.51%	29.51%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)	52.69%	43.69%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)	70.55%	71.25%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

ESS

0.71

Residential REITs Industry

Max: 1.28
Q3: 0.64
Median: 0.21
Q1: 0.12
Min: 0.00

ESS’s Current Ratio of 0.71 is in the upper quartile for the Residential REITs industry. This signifies a strong liquidity position, suggesting the company is well-equipped to cover its immediate liabilities compared to its peers.

EXR

0.30

Specialized REITs Industry

Max: 1.74
Q3: 1.13
Median: 0.59
Q1: 0.35
Min: 0.09

EXR’s Current Ratio of 0.30 falls into the lower quartile for the Specialized REITs industry. This indicates a tighter liquidity situation and a more constrained capacity to handle short-term debt than many of its competitors.

ESS vs. EXR: A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Residential REITs and Specialized REITs industry benchmarks.

Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)

ESS

1.20

Residential REITs Industry

Max: 1.62
Q3: 1.10
Median: 0.83
Q1: 0.69
Min: 0.28

ESS’s leverage is in the upper quartile of the Residential REITs industry, with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 1.20. While this approach can boost equity growth, it also exposes the company to greater financial vulnerability.

EXR

0.94

Specialized REITs Industry

Max: 4.54
Q3: 3.26
Median: 1.09
Q1: 0.58
Min: 0.16

EXR’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.94 is typical for the Specialized REITs industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.

ESS vs. EXR: A comparison of their Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Residential REITs and Specialized REITs industry benchmarks.

Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)

ESS

8.86

Residential REITs Industry

Max: 5.11
Q3: 4.01
Median: 2.53
Q1: 1.52
Min: 0.52

With an Interest Coverage Ratio of 8.86, ESS demonstrates a superior capacity to service its debt, placing it well above the typical range for the Residential REITs industry. This stems from either robust earnings or a conservative debt load.

EXR

3.40

Specialized REITs Industry

Max: 5.24
Q3: 4.05
Median: 2.99
Q1: 2.10
Min: 1.28

EXR’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 3.40 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Specialized REITs industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.

ESS vs. EXR: A comparison of their Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) against their respective Residential REITs and Specialized REITs industry benchmarks.

Financial Strength at a Glance

Symbol	ESS	EXR
Current Ratio (MRQ)	0.71	0.30
Quick Ratio (MRQ)	0.17	0.22
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)	1.20	0.94
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)	8.86	3.40

Growth

Revenue Growth

ESS vs. EXR: A side-by-side comparison of their Revenue Growth for the MRQ (YoY), TTM (YoY), 3-Year CAGR, and 5-Year CAGR periods.

EPS Growth

ESS vs. EXR: A side-by-side comparison of their EPS Growth for the MRQ (YoY), TTM (YoY), 3-Year CAGR, and 5-Year CAGR periods.

Dividend

Dividend Yield (TTM)

ESS

3.90%

Residential REITs Industry

Max: 4.21%
Q3: 3.83%
Median: 3.40%
Q1: 3.27%
Min: 2.80%

With a Dividend Yield of 3.90%, ESS offers a more attractive income stream than most of its peers in the Residential REITs industry, signaling a strong commitment to shareholder returns.

EXR

4.78%

Specialized REITs Industry

Max: 7.06%
Q3: 5.09%
Median: 4.51%
Q1: 3.18%
Min: 1.78%

EXR’s Dividend Yield of 4.78% is consistent with its peers in the Specialized REITs industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.

ESS vs. EXR: A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against their respective Residential REITs and Specialized REITs industry benchmarks.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

ESS

79.64%

Residential REITs Industry

Max: 210.87%
Q3: 145.45%
Median: 102.94%
Q1: 84.58%
Min: 17.15%

ESS’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 79.64% is in the lower quartile for the Residential REITs industry. This suggests a conservative dividend policy, with a strategic focus on reinvesting profits for future growth.

EXR

140.88%

Specialized REITs Industry

Max: 295.93%
Q3: 182.11%
Median: 119.31%
Q1: 65.42%
Min: 43.86%

EXR’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 140.88% is within the typical range for the Specialized REITs industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.

ESS vs. EXR: A comparison of their Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) against their respective Residential REITs and Specialized REITs industry benchmarks.

Dividend at a Glance

Symbol	ESS	EXR
Dividend Yield (TTM)	3.90%	4.78%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	79.64%	140.88%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

ESS

20.44

Residential REITs Industry

Max: 177.01
Q3: 109.22
Median: 31.26
Q1: 25.84
Min: 8.46

The P/E Ratio is often not the primary metric for valuation in the Residential REITs industry.

EXR

29.47

Specialized REITs Industry

Max: 85.59
Q3: 64.69
Median: 29.09
Q1: 18.22
Min: 8.79

The P/E Ratio is often not the primary metric for valuation in the Specialized REITs industry.

ESS vs. EXR: A comparison of their Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) against their respective Residential REITs and Specialized REITs industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

ESS

8.89

Residential REITs Industry

Max: 12.50
Q3: 10.33
Median: 8.01
Q1: 6.55
Min: 5.06

ESS’s P/S Ratio of 8.89 aligns with the market consensus for the Residential REITs industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.

EXR

8.70

Specialized REITs Industry

Max: 14.35
Q3: 9.60
Median: 8.74
Q1: 5.61
Min: 1.63

EXR’s P/S Ratio of 8.70 aligns with the market consensus for the Specialized REITs industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.

ESS vs. EXR: A comparison of their Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) against their respective Residential REITs and Specialized REITs industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)

ESS

3.24

Residential REITs Industry

Max: 4.49
Q3: 2.83
Median: 2.20
Q1: 1.42
Min: 0.67

ESS’s P/B Ratio of 3.24 is in the upper tier for the Residential REITs industry. This indicates that investors are paying a premium relative to the company’s net assets, a valuation that hinges on its ability to generate superior profits.

EXR

2.27

Specialized REITs Industry

Max: 11.33
Q3: 5.68
Median: 2.69
Q1: 1.81
Min: 0.71

EXR’s P/B Ratio of 2.27 is within the conventional range for the Specialized REITs industry. This shows a balanced market view, where the stock’s price is neither at a significant premium nor a discount to the book value of its peers.

ESS vs. EXR: A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Residential REITs and Specialized REITs industry benchmarks.

Valuation at a Glance

Symbol	ESS	EXR
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)	20.44	29.47
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)	8.89	8.70
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)	3.24	2.27
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)	70.96	36.60