EXHIBIT 23.1

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement (Form S-8) pertaining to the 2019 Share Incentive Plan of Equity Residential of our reports dated February 21, 2019, with respect to the consolidated financial statements and schedule of Equity Residential and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting of Equity Residential included in its Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2018, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Chicago, Illinois

July 11, 2019