IRT vs WELL: Which Is the Better Dividend Stock?
As of Oct 18, 2026, IRT and WELL are closely matched. IRT offers the higher yield at 4.87%, WELL has the higher dividend-safety score, and IRT looks like the better value (its fair-value estimate is 14% above its share price).
Key facts: IRT vs WELL
Data as of · Source: SmarterDividends data
- As of Oct 18, 2026, Independence Realty Trust, Inc. (IRT) has the higher forward dividend yield at 4.87%, versus 1.45% for Welltower Inc. (WELL).
- As of Oct 18, 2026, SmarterDividends grades IRT's dividend safety C (51/100) and WELL's B (66/100).
- By SmarterDividends' count as of Oct 18, 2026, IRT has raised its dividend for 4 consecutive years and WELL for 2.
- As of Oct 18, 2026, IRT pays out 383% of its earnings as dividends and WELL pays out 133%.
- As of Oct 18, 2026, IRT's fair-value estimate is 14% above its share price and WELL's fair-value estimate is 59% below its share price, so IRT looks like the better value of the two on SmarterDividends' blended model.
Cite this page
SmarterDividends, "IRT vs WELL: Dividend Yield, Safety & Value Compared," updated Oct 18, 2026, https://smarterdividends.com/compare/irt-vs-well
| Metric | IRT | WELL |
|---|---|---|
| Forward yield | 4.87% | 1.45% |
| Annual dividend | $0.72 | $3.40 |
| Payout ratio | 383% | 133% |
| Years of growth | 4 yr | 2 yr |
| 5-yr dividend growth | 4.4% | 0.9% |
| 5-yr total return | -40% | 195% |
| Dividend safety score | 51 (C) | 66 (B) |
| Fair value estimate | $16.77 | $96.91 |
| Upside to fair value | +14% | -59% |
| Frequency | quarterly | quarterly |
| Market cap | $3.6B | $169.2B |
| P/E ratio | 82.1 | 105.3 |
Higher yield
IRT
4.87%
Safer dividend
WELL
Grade B
Faster growth
IRT
4.4%
Better value
IRT
+14% upside
IRT vs WELL — FAQ
Is IRT or WELL a better dividend stock?
IRT and WELL are closely matched. IRT has the higher yield; WELL scores better on safety.
Which has a higher dividend yield, IRT or WELL?
IRT has the higher forward dividend yield at 4.87%, versus 1.45% for WELL.
Is IRT or WELL safer?
WELL has the higher dividend-safety score (66/100 vs 51/100), reflecting stronger payout coverage and dividend-growth history.
Is IRT or WELL better value right now?
As of Oct 18, 2026, IRT looks like the better value: its fair-value estimate is 14% above its share price (fairly valued). For WELL, its fair-value estimate is 59% below its share price.
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See more dividend stock comparisons · data refreshes daily · for informational purposes only, not investment advice.