MAA vs WELL: Which Is the Better Dividend Stock?
As of Nov 8, 2026, MAA (Mid-America Apartment Communities, Inc.) screens as the stronger dividend stock, winning 6 of 8 head-to-head metrics. MAA offers the higher yield at 5.15%, MAA has the higher dividend-safety score, and MAA looks like the better value (its fair-value estimate is 17% below its share price).
Key facts: MAA vs WELL
Data as of · Source: SmarterDividends data
- As of Nov 8, 2026, Mid-America Apartment Communities, Inc. (MAA) has the higher forward dividend yield at 5.15%, versus 1.39% for Welltower Inc. (WELL).
- As of Nov 8, 2026, SmarterDividends grades MAA's dividend safety A (81/100) and WELL's B (66/100).
- By SmarterDividends' count as of Nov 8, 2026, MAA has raised its dividend for 15 consecutive years and WELL for 2.
- As of Nov 8, 2026, MAA pays out 185% of its earnings as dividends and WELL pays out 130%.
- As of Nov 8, 2026, MAA's fair-value estimate is 17% below its share price and WELL's fair-value estimate is 62% below its share price, so MAA looks like the better value of the two on SmarterDividends' blended model.
Cite this page
SmarterDividends, "MAA vs WELL: Dividend Yield, Safety & Value Compared," updated Nov 8, 2026, https://smarterdividends.com/compare/maa-vs-well
| Metric | MAA | WELL |
|---|---|---|
| Forward yield | 5.15% | 1.39% |
| Annual dividend | $6.12 | $3.40 |
| Payout ratio | 185% | 130% |
| Years of growth | 15 yr | 2 yr |
| 5-yr dividend growth | 8.7% | 0.9% |
| 5-yr total return | -42% | 208% |
| Dividend safety score | 81 (A) | 66 (B) |
| Fair value estimate | $98.52 | $93.33 |
| Upside to fair value | -17% | -62% |
| Frequency | quarterly | quarterly |
| Market cap | $14.1B | $179.7B |
| P/E ratio | 36.0 | 103.8 |
Higher yield
MAA
5.15%
Safer dividend
MAA
Grade A
Faster growth
MAA
8.7%
Better value
MAA
-17% upside
MAA vs WELL — FAQ
Is MAA or WELL a better dividend stock?
On the data, MAA wins more head-to-head categories (6 vs 2). MAA offers the higher yield (5.15%), while MAA has the stronger dividend-safety score. The right pick depends on whether you prioritise income, safety or value.
Which has a higher dividend yield, MAA or WELL?
MAA has the higher forward dividend yield at 5.15%, versus 1.39% for WELL.
Is MAA or WELL safer?
MAA has the higher dividend-safety score (81/100 vs 66/100), reflecting stronger payout coverage and dividend-growth history.
Is MAA or WELL better value right now?
As of Nov 8, 2026, MAA looks like the better value: its fair-value estimate is 17% below its share price (overvalued). For WELL, its fair-value estimate is 62% below its share price.
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See more dividend stock comparisons · data refreshes daily · for informational purposes only, not investment advice.