RLJ vs WELL: Which Is the Better Dividend Stock?
As of Oct 18, 2026, RLJ and WELL are closely matched. RLJ offers the higher yield at 5.15%, WELL has the higher dividend-safety score, and RLJ looks like the better value (its fair-value estimate is 6% above its share price).
Key facts: RLJ vs WELL
Data as of · Source: SmarterDividends data
- As of Oct 18, 2026, RLJ Lodging Trust (RLJ) has the higher forward dividend yield at 5.15%, versus 1.45% for Welltower Inc. (WELL).
- As of Oct 18, 2026, SmarterDividends grades RLJ's dividend safety C (50/100) and WELL's B (66/100).
- By SmarterDividends' count as of Oct 18, 2026, RLJ has raised its dividend for 4 consecutive years and WELL for 2.
- As of Oct 18, 2026, RLJ's fair-value estimate is 6% above its share price and WELL's fair-value estimate is 59% below its share price, so RLJ looks like the better value of the two on SmarterDividends' blended model.
Cite this page
SmarterDividends, "RLJ vs WELL: Dividend Yield, Safety & Value Compared," updated Oct 18, 2026, https://smarterdividends.com/compare/rlj-vs-well
| Metric | RLJ | WELL |
|---|---|---|
| Forward yield | 5.15% | 1.45% |
| Annual dividend | $0.60 | $3.40 |
| Payout ratio | 6000% | 133% |
| Years of growth | 4 yr | 2 yr |
| 5-yr dividend growth | 71.9% | 0.9% |
| 5-yr total return | -7% | 195% |
| Dividend safety score | 50 (C) | 66 (B) |
| Fair value estimate | $12.40 | $96.91 |
| Upside to fair value | +6% | -59% |
| Frequency | quarterly | quarterly |
| Market cap | $1.8B | $169.2B |
| P/E ratio | — | 105.3 |
Higher yield
RLJ
5.15%
Safer dividend
WELL
Grade B
Faster growth
RLJ
71.9%
Better value
RLJ
+6% upside
RLJ vs WELL — FAQ
Is RLJ or WELL a better dividend stock?
RLJ and WELL are closely matched. RLJ has the higher yield; WELL scores better on safety.
Which has a higher dividend yield, RLJ or WELL?
RLJ has the higher forward dividend yield at 5.15%, versus 1.45% for WELL.
Is RLJ or WELL safer?
WELL has the higher dividend-safety score (66/100 vs 50/100), reflecting stronger payout coverage and dividend-growth history.
Is RLJ or WELL better value right now?
As of Oct 18, 2026, RLJ looks like the better value: its fair-value estimate is 6% 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.