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

Updated on October 3, 2025

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

Company Profile

Both ESS and UDR 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	UDR
Company Name	Essex Property Trust, Inc.	UDR, Inc.
Country	United States	United States
GICS Sector	Real Estate	Real Estate
GICS Industry	Residential REITs	Residential REITs
Market Capitalization	18.50 billion USD	14.03 billion USD
Exchange	NYSE	NYSE
Listing Date	June 7, 1994	March 17, 1980
Security Type	REIT	REIT

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of ESS and UDR 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. UDR: Growth of a $10,000 investment over the past one year.

Historical Performance at a Glance

Symbol	ESS	UDR
5-Day Price Return	1.16%	0.51%
13-Week Price Return	-5.55%	-8.74%
26-Week Price Return	-12.60%	-15.99%
52-Week Price Return	-9.14%	-17.18%
Month-to-Date Return	-0.94%	-5.84%
Year-to-Date Return	-6.23%	-14.17%
10-Day Avg. Volume	0.41M	2.46M
3-Month Avg. Volume	0.48M	2.34M
3-Month Volatility	24.66%	18.32%
Beta	0.85	0.86

Profitability

Return on Equity (TTM)

ESS

14.44%

Residential REITs Industry

Max: 17.50%
Q3: 9.60%
Median: 6.78%
Q1: 3.88%
Min: -0.69%

In the upper quartile for the Residential REITs industry, ESS’s Return on Equity of 14.44% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.

UDR

3.88%

Residential REITs Industry

Max: 17.50%
Q3: 9.60%
Median: 6.78%
Q1: 3.88%
Min: -0.69%

UDR’s Return on Equity of 3.88% is on par with the norm for the Residential REITs industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.

ESS vs. UDR: A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against the Residential REITs industry benchmark.

Net Profit Margin (TTM)

ESS

43.51%

Residential REITs Industry

Max: 53.28%
Q3: 43.51%
Median: 25.98%
Q1: 9.99%
Min: -0.30%

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

UDR

7.81%

Residential REITs Industry

Max: 53.28%
Q3: 43.51%
Median: 25.98%
Q1: 9.99%
Min: -0.30%

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

ESS vs. UDR: A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against the Residential REITs industry benchmark.

Operating Profit Margin (TTM)

ESS

52.69%

Residential REITs Industry

Max: 54.66%
Q3: 47.76%
Median: 29.76%
Q1: 18.99%
Min: -0.66%

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

UDR

19.86%

Residential REITs Industry

Max: 54.66%
Q3: 47.76%
Median: 29.76%
Q1: 18.99%
Min: -0.66%

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

ESS vs. UDR: A comparison of their Operating Profit Margin (TTM) against the Residential REITs industry benchmark.

Profitability at a Glance

Symbol	ESS	UDR
Return on Equity (TTM)	14.44%	3.88%
Return on Assets (TTM)	6.16%	1.22%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)	43.51%	7.81%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)	52.69%	19.86%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)	70.55%	65.38%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

ESS

0.71

Residential REITs Industry

Max: 1.58
Q3: 0.84
Median: 0.56
Q1: 0.10
Min: 0.00

ESS’s Current Ratio of 0.71 aligns with the median group of the Residential REITs industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.

UDR

0.00

Residential REITs Industry

Max: 1.58
Q3: 0.84
Median: 0.56
Q1: 0.10
Min: 0.00

UDR’s Current Ratio of 0.00 falls into the lower quartile for the Residential 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. UDR: A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against the Residential REITs industry benchmark.

Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)

ESS

1.20

Residential REITs Industry

Max: 1.64
Q3: 1.10
Median: 0.83
Q1: 0.68
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.

UDR

1.74

Residential REITs Industry

Max: 1.64
Q3: 1.10
Median: 0.83
Q1: 0.68
Min: 0.28

With a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 1.74, UDR operates with exceptionally high leverage compared to the Residential REITs industry norm. This suggests an aggressive reliance on debt financing, which can magnify returns but also significantly elevates financial risk.

ESS vs. UDR: A comparison of their Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) against the Residential REITs industry benchmark.

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.

UDR

1.52

Residential REITs Industry

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

UDR’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 1.52 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Residential REITs industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.

ESS vs. UDR: A comparison of their Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) against the Residential REITs industry benchmark.

Financial Strength at a Glance

Symbol	ESS	UDR
Current Ratio (MRQ)	0.71	0.00
Quick Ratio (MRQ)	0.17	0.00
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)	1.20	1.74
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)	8.86	1.52

Growth

Revenue Growth

ESS vs. UDR: 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. UDR: 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

3.70%

Residential REITs Industry

Max: 4.67%
Q3: 4.30%
Median: 3.71%
Q1: 3.53%
Min: 3.04%

ESS’s Dividend Yield of 3.70% is consistent with its peers in the Residential REITs industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.

UDR

4.60%

Residential REITs Industry

Max: 4.67%
Q3: 4.30%
Median: 3.71%
Q1: 3.53%
Min: 3.04%

With a Dividend Yield of 4.60%, UDR offers a more attractive income stream than most of its peers in the Residential REITs industry, signaling a strong commitment to shareholder returns.

ESS vs. UDR: A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against the Residential REITs industry benchmark.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

ESS

79.64%

Residential REITs Industry

Max: 214.13%
Q3: 138.72%
Median: 103.63%
Q1: 84.15%
Min: 22.05%

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.

UDR

311.57%

Residential REITs Industry

Max: 214.13%
Q3: 138.72%
Median: 103.63%
Q1: 84.15%
Min: 22.05%

At 311.57%, UDR’s Dividend Payout Ratio is exceptionally high, exceeding the typical range for the Residential REITs industry. While this provides a significant return to shareholders, it may limit funds for reinvestment and could be difficult to sustain.

ESS vs. UDR: A comparison of their Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) against the Residential REITs industry benchmark.

Dividend at a Glance

Symbol	ESS	UDR
Dividend Yield (TTM)	3.70%	4.60%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	79.64%	311.57%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

ESS

21.54

Residential REITs Industry

Max: 76.72
Q3: 44.45
Median: 28.89
Q1: 22.94
Min: 9.90

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

UDR

93.57

Residential REITs Industry

Max: 76.72
Q3: 44.45
Median: 28.89
Q1: 22.94
Min: 9.90

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

ESS vs. UDR: A comparison of their Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) against the Residential REITs industry benchmark.

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

ESS

9.37

Residential REITs Industry

Max: 13.08
Q3: 9.23
Median: 7.38
Q1: 6.12
Min: 5.65

ESS’s P/S Ratio of 9.37 is in the upper echelon for the Residential REITs industry. This means the company is valued richly on its revenue stream compared to its peers, suggesting the stock is priced for a high level of future performance.

UDR

7.30

Residential REITs Industry

Max: 13.08
Q3: 9.23
Median: 7.38
Q1: 6.12
Min: 5.65

UDR’s P/S Ratio of 7.30 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.

ESS vs. UDR: A comparison of their Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) against the Residential REITs industry benchmark.

Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)

ESS

3.24

Residential REITs Industry

Max: 4.07
Q3: 2.62
Median: 2.08
Q1: 1.46
Min: 0.68

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.

UDR

4.07

Residential REITs Industry

Max: 4.07
Q3: 2.62
Median: 2.08
Q1: 1.46
Min: 0.68

UDR’s P/B Ratio of 4.07 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.

ESS vs. UDR: A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against the Residential REITs industry benchmark.

Valuation at a Glance

Symbol	ESS	UDR
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)	21.54	93.57
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)	9.37	7.30
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)	3.24	4.07
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)	74.77	21.93