HIW vs WELL: Which Is the Better Dividend Stock?
As of Oct 18, 2026, HIW and WELL are closely matched. HIW offers the higher yield at 6.82%, HIW has the higher dividend-safety score, and HIW looks like the better value (its fair-value estimate is 8% above its share price).
Key facts: HIW vs WELL
Data as of · Source: SmarterDividends data
- As of Oct 18, 2026, Highwoods Properties, Inc. (HIW) has the higher forward dividend yield at 6.82%, versus 1.45% for Welltower Inc. (WELL).
- As of Oct 18, 2026, SmarterDividends grades HIW's dividend safety A (81/100) and WELL's B (66/100).
- By SmarterDividends' count as of Oct 18, 2026, HIW has raised its dividend for 0 consecutive years and WELL for 2.
- As of Oct 18, 2026, HIW pays out 132% of its earnings as dividends and WELL pays out 133%.
- As of Oct 18, 2026, HIW's fair-value estimate is 8% above its share price and WELL's fair-value estimate is 59% below its share price, so HIW looks like the better value of the two on SmarterDividends' blended model.
Cite this page
SmarterDividends, "HIW vs WELL: Dividend Yield, Safety & Value Compared," updated Oct 18, 2026, https://smarterdividends.com/compare/hiw-vs-well
| Metric | HIW | WELL |
|---|---|---|
| Forward yield | 6.82% | 1.45% |
| Annual dividend | $2.00 | $3.40 |
| Payout ratio | 132% | 133% |
| Years of growth | 0 yr | 2 yr |
| 5-yr dividend growth | 0.8% | 0.9% |
| 5-yr total return | -32% | 195% |
| Dividend safety score | 81 (A) | 66 (B) |
| Fair value estimate | $31.70 | $96.91 |
| Upside to fair value | +8% | -59% |
| Frequency | quarterly | quarterly |
| Market cap | $3.3B | $169.2B |
| P/E ratio | 19.4 | 105.3 |
Higher yield
HIW
6.82%
Safer dividend
HIW
Grade A
Faster growth
WELL
0.9%
Better value
HIW
+8% upside
HIW vs WELL — FAQ
Is HIW or WELL a better dividend stock?
HIW and WELL are closely matched. HIW has the higher yield; HIW scores better on safety.
Which has a higher dividend yield, HIW or WELL?
HIW has the higher forward dividend yield at 6.82%, versus 1.45% for WELL.
Is HIW or WELL safer?
HIW has the higher dividend-safety score (81/100 vs 66/100), reflecting stronger payout coverage and dividend-growth history.
Is HIW or WELL better value right now?
As of Oct 18, 2026, HIW looks like the better value: its fair-value estimate is 8% above its share price (fairly valued). For WELL, its fair-value estimate is 59% below its share price.
Related comparisons
See more dividend stock comparisons · data refreshes daily · for informational purposes only, not investment advice.