SmarterDividends
ESS

Essex Property Trust, Inc.

ESS30 yrs growth

Real Estate · REIT - Residential · Stock · quarterly payer

$271.88

Fairly valued · -1% Add to Portfolio

Forward Yield

3.81%

Annual Dividend

$10.32

Payout Ratio

161%

5-Yr Growth

4.1%

Ex-Date

Sep 30, 2026

Frequency

Quarterly

Key facts about ESS's dividend

Data as of · Source: SmarterDividends data

  • As of Oct 14, 2026, Essex Property Trust, Inc. (ESS) has a forward dividend yield of 3.81%, based on an annual dividend of $10.32 per share and a share price of $271.88.
  • As of Oct 14, 2026, ESS's dividend safety grade from SmarterDividends is A (83 out of 100), which rates the dividend as very safe.
  • By SmarterDividends' count, Essex Property Trust, Inc. (ESS) has raised its dividend for 30 consecutive years as of Oct 14, 2026, which makes it a Dividend Aristocrat by the 25-year definition.
  • ESS has never cut its regular dividend in the payment history SmarterDividends has on record.
  • ESS's most recent ex-dividend date was Sep 30, 2026, for a dividend of $2.59 per share.
  • As of Oct 14, 2026, ESS pays out 161% of its trailing 12-month earnings as dividends (its payout ratio).
  • ESS's dividend has grown at an average rate of 4.1% a year over the past five years.
  • As of Oct 14, 2026, ESS's 3.81% yield is 16% above its five-year average yield of 3.28%.
  • As of Oct 14, 2026, SmarterDividends' blended fair-value estimate for ESS is $267.93 per share, 1% below the $271.88 share price, so ESS screens as fairly valued.
  • Essex Property Trust, Inc. (ESS) pays its dividend quarterly, 4 times a year.
Cite this page

SmarterDividends, "ESS Dividend: Yield, Safety Grade & Next Ex-Date," updated Oct 14, 2026, https://smarterdividends.com/stocks/ESS

Summary

As of Oct 14, 2026, Essex Property Trust, Inc. (ESS) yields 3.81% ($10.32 a year per share), has a dividend safety grade of A (83/100) and has 30 consecutive years of dividend increases on record.

Is ESS a good dividend stock?

Yes

Essex Property Trust, Inc. (ESS) pays a quarterly dividend yielding 3.81% ($10.32/yr), with 30 years of growth and a dividend-safety grade of A. It scores well across payout coverage, growth history and safety — a dependable income holding.

Advantages

  • Dividend Aristocrat — 30 consecutive years of growth
  • Never cut its dividend on record
  • Top-tier dividend safety score

Risks

  • Elevated payout ratio (161%)
  • Share price is down over the past 5 years

Key Data

Dividend Yield
3.81%
Payout Ratio
161%
Annual Dividend
$10.32
5-Yr Avg Growth
4.1%
Ex-Dividend Date
Sep 30, 2026
Years of Growth
30
Frequency
quarterly
Beta
0.71
Market Cap
$18.7B
P/E Ratio
42.3
5-Yr Total Return
-20%
52-Week Range
$238.46 – $303.35
Dividend Safety
A · 83/100
Ever Cut?
No
ESS ex-dividend date & scheduleNext ex-date Sep 30, 2026 · full ex-dividend historyView →ESS dividend historyEvery payment, totals by year, raises and cutsView →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is ESS a good dividend stock?

Yes. Essex Property Trust, Inc. (ESS) pays a quarterly dividend yielding 3.81% ($10.32/yr), with 30 years of growth and a dividend-safety grade of A. It scores well across payout coverage, growth history and safety — a dependable income holding.

Is ESS undervalued?

Based on a blend of discounted cash flow, a dividend-discount model and an earnings-multiple estimate, ESS's fair value is about $267.93 versus a $271.88 share price — so it looks fairly valued (-1% vs. fair value).

Is ESS's dividend safe?

ESS has a dividend-safety grade of A (83/100), based on its payout coverage, free-cash-flow, 30-year growth streak, a clean no-cut history, debt and yield-versus-history.

What is ESS's fair value?

Our blended fair-value estimate for ESS is about $267.93 per share, about 1% below the current $271.88 price — combining a discounted cash flow, a dividend-discount model and an earnings multiple.

Is ESS a buy, hold, or sell?

We don't issue formal ratings, but on the data ESS screens as "yes" and fairly valued. Essex Property Trust, Inc. (ESS) pays a quarterly dividend yielding 3.81% ($10.32/yr), with 30 years of growth and a dividend-safety grade of A. It scores well across payout coverage, growth history and safety — a dependable income holding. This is research for your own analysis, not investment advice.

Will ESS cut its dividend?

ESS earns a dividend-safety grade of A (83/100), with no dividend cut on record. A higher score means lower cut risk based on payout coverage, cash flow and history — but no score guarantees a dividend.

Does ESS pay a dividend?

Yes. Essex Property Trust, Inc. pays a quarterly dividend of about $10.32 per share annually, a forward yield of roughly 3.81%.

What is ESS's dividend yield?

As of Oct 14, 2026, ESS's forward dividend yield is 3.81%, based on a $10.32 annual dividend and a $271.88 share price.

What is ESS's dividend per share?

As of Oct 14, 2026, ESS pays $10.32 per share per year, distributed on a quarterly basis.

What is ESS's dividend payout ratio?

As of Oct 14, 2026, ESS's payout ratio is 161% of trailing 12-month earnings — an elevated level worth watching, as it leaves less cushion if earnings dip.

How many years has ESS grown its dividend?

As of Oct 14, 2026, ESS has increased its dividend for 30 consecutive years.

When is the next ESS ex-dividend date?

As of Oct 14, 2026, ESS's next ex-dividend date hasn't been announced. The most recent was Sep 30, 2026, for $2.59 per share.

Income Calculator

At $10.32 / yr per share

Per payment (quarterly)$258.00
Annual$1,032.00
Monthly avg$86.00

Similar Dividend Stocks

WELLWELLWelltower Inc.1.48%Real EstatePLDPLDPrologis, Inc.3.20%Real EstateEQIXEQIXEquinix, Inc.2.02%Real EstateAMTAMTAmerican Tower Corporation3.99%Real Estate

Compare ESS

ESS vs WELLESS vs PLDESS vs EQIXESS vs AMT

Explore more

Lists and tools related to ESS