EXR vs SPY: which was the better investment?
Extra Space Storage Inc. against SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust on real daily total-return data — every dividend reinvested, from Aug 16, 2004 to Jul 15, 2026.
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Frequently asked questions
Did EXR beat SPY?
Yes — measured from Aug 16, 2004 to Jul 15, 2026 with dividends reinvested, EXR came out ahead: $289,772 versus $104,472 from a $10,000 start. That gap compounds from a 16.6% annual return against 11.3%.
What would $10,000 in EXR be worth today?
$10,000 invested in Extra Space Storage Inc. (EXR) on Aug 16, 2004 would be worth about $289,772 as of Jul 15, 2026, a total return of 2797.7% (16.6% per year). The same $10,000 in SPY would be worth $104,472.
Which was riskier — EXR or SPY?
EXR swung with an annualized volatility of 32.4% and a worst peak-to-trough drop of -71.3%; SPY ran at 18.8% volatility with a -55.2% maximum drawdown. Risk-adjusted (Sharpe ratio), that is 0.45 for EXR vs 0.49 for SPY.
What data is this comparison based on?
Daily adjusted closing prices covering Aug 16, 2004 through Jul 15, 2026 — the full period where both assets have price history. Adjusted prices include dividends and splits, so these are total returns. The page refreshes with new market data every day.
Can I change the dates, amounts, or add monthly investing?
Yes — the interactive tool on this page is pre-loaded with EXR vs SPY. You can set any start and end date, change the starting amount, add monthly contributions, or build a multi-asset portfolio and compare it against any benchmark.