NHI vs WELL: Which Is the Better Dividend Stock?
As of Oct 15, 2026, NHI and WELL are closely matched. NHI offers the higher yield at 5.73%, WELL has the higher dividend-safety score, and NHI looks like the better value (its fair-value estimate is 10% above its share price).
Key facts: NHI vs WELL
Data as of · Source: SmarterDividends data
- As of Oct 15, 2026, National Health Investors, Inc. (NHI) has the higher forward dividend yield at 5.73%, versus 1.48% for Welltower Inc. (WELL).
- As of Oct 15, 2026, SmarterDividends grades NHI's dividend safety C (61/100) and WELL's B (66/100).
- By SmarterDividends' count as of Oct 15, 2026, NHI has raised its dividend for 1 consecutive years and WELL for 2.
- As of Oct 15, 2026, NHI pays out 106% of its earnings as dividends and WELL pays out 133%.
- As of Oct 15, 2026, NHI's fair-value estimate is 10% above its share price and WELL's fair-value estimate is 58% below its share price, so NHI looks like the better value of the two on SmarterDividends' blended model.
Cite this page
SmarterDividends, "NHI vs WELL: Dividend Yield, Safety & Value Compared," updated Oct 15, 2026, https://smarterdividends.com/compare/nhi-vs-well
| Metric | NHI | WELL |
|---|---|---|
| Forward yield | 5.73% | 1.48% |
| Annual dividend | $3.68 | $3.07 |
| Payout ratio | 106% | 133% |
| Years of growth | 1 yr | 2 yr |
| 5-yr dividend growth | -3.8% | 0.9% |
| 5-yr total return | 21% | 180% |
| Dividend safety score | 61 (C) | 66 (B) |
| Fair value estimate | $72.02 | $96.91 |
| Upside to fair value | +10% | -58% |
| Frequency | quarterly | quarterly |
| Market cap | $3.2B | $167.3B |
| P/E ratio | 18.9 | 104.1 |
Higher yield
NHI
5.73%
Safer dividend
WELL
Grade B
Faster growth
WELL
0.9%
Better value
NHI
+10% upside
NHI vs WELL — FAQ
Is NHI or WELL a better dividend stock?
NHI and WELL are closely matched. NHI has the higher yield; WELL scores better on safety.
Which has a higher dividend yield, NHI or WELL?
NHI has the higher forward dividend yield at 5.73%, versus 1.48% for WELL.
Is NHI or WELL safer?
WELL has the higher dividend-safety score (66/100 vs 61/100), reflecting stronger payout coverage and dividend-growth history.
Is NHI or WELL better value right now?
As of Oct 15, 2026, NHI looks like the better value: its fair-value estimate is 10% above its share price (fairly valued). For WELL, its fair-value estimate is 58% below its share price.
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See more dividend stock comparisons · data refreshes daily · for informational purposes only, not investment advice.