A data-driven ranking of the top reits for 2026, based on live market data, fundamentals, and a four-factor quant model. Updated weekly. Not investment advice — research aid only.
REITs are required by law to distribute 90% of taxable income, making them one of the cleanest income vehicles in US equities. We rank the largest REITs by sustainable yield, mixing data center, cell tower, industrial, and retail exposures.
The current #1 pick on this list is CCI (Crown Castle Inc.), with a quant score of 41/100, 0.00% dividend yield, and — market cap. Below, you'll find the full top 3 ranking, individual analysis on the top 5, our methodology, and answers to common questions about reits.
Top 3 REITs — Ranked
| Rank | Stock | Price | Market Cap | P/E | Yield | Quant Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 |
CCI
Crown Castle Inc.
|
$90.87 | — | 0.00 | 0.00% | 41 |
| #2 |
WELL
Welltower Inc.
|
$213.74 | — | 0.00 | 0.00% | 44 |
| #3 |
EXR
Extra Space Storage Inc.
|
$136.90 | — | 0.00 | 0.00% | 38 |
Top 3 REITs — In Depth
#1. Crown Castle Inc. (CCI)
Crown Castle owns, operates and leases more than 40,000 cell towers and approximately 80,000 route miles of fiber supporting small cells and fiber solutions across every major U.S. market. This nationwide portfolio of communications infrastructure connects cities and communities to essential data, technology and wireless service - bringing information, ideas and innovations to the people and busin…
#2. Welltower Inc. (WELL)
Welltower Inc. (NYSE:WELL), an S&P 500 company headquartered in Toledo, Ohio, is driving the transformation of health care infrastructure. The Company invests with leading seniors housing operators, post-acute providers and health systems to fund the real estate infrastructure needed to scale innovative care delivery models and improve people's wellness and overall health care experience. Welltowe…
#3. Extra Space Storage Inc. (EXR)
Extra Space Storage Inc., headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah, is a self-administered and self-managed REIT and a member of the S&P 500. As of September 30, 2020, the Company owned and/or operated 1,906 self-storage stores in 40 states, Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico. The Company's stores comprise approximately 1.4 million units and approximately 147.5 million square feet of rentable space. Th…
How We Picked This List
This ranking is data-driven, not opinion-driven. Each stock was scored using:
- Primary ranking: dividend yield (highest first)
- Universe: Curated list of 15 reits — vetted for relevance and liquidity
- Quant score: Our factor composite (0–100) is shown alongside the primary ranking — use it as a sanity check on quality
All metrics pull from live market data and refresh weekly. We deliberately keep editorial influence to a minimum here — the list is what the numbers say.
Want to Compare These REITs Head-to-Head?
Use our free comparison tool to put any two stocks from this list side by side — 50+ metrics, AI-powered insights, no signup required.
Frequently Asked Questions
Disclaimer: This list is generated from live market data and our quantitative factor model for informational and educational purposes only. It is not investment advice, a recommendation to buy or sell any security, or a substitute for analysis by a licensed financial advisor. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Always read the most recent 10-K and consult a qualified professional before making investment decisions.