Dividend comparison
VTI vs VYM: Which Is Better?
Fees, yield, total returns, drawdowns, holdings overlap and dividend history for Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF, side by side. Updated October 21, 2026.
- Fees. VTI is cheaper at 0.03% a year versus 0.04% for VYM. On $10,000 that is $1 a year less in fees.
- Income. VYM pays more income, yielding 2.28% over the last twelve months versus 1.05% for VTI. That is about $123 more a year on $10,000. Both pay quarterly.
- Performance. Over the last 5 years, VTI returned 72.2% versus 67.0% for VYM, with dividends reinvested. $10,000 would have grown to $17,219 in VTI and $16,701 in VYM.
- Risk. VTI has been the bumpier ride. Its worst peak-to-trough decline over the last 5 years was -25.4%, against -15.8% for VYM.
- Diversification. VTI holds 3,598 positions and VYM holds 589. The ten largest positions make up 34.6% of VTI and 26.2% of VYM.
- Overlap. At least 19% of the two portfolios overlap by weight, across 49 shared holdings. They mostly own different companies, so they can complement each other.
- Dividend growth. VTI grew its yearly payout 6.4% a year over the last 4 years, versus 3.1% for VYM.
- Size. VTI is the larger fund with $2.3 trillion in assets, against $95.8 billion for VYM.
Bottom line: VTI fits better if you care most about stronger 5-year returns, faster dividend growth and broader diversification. VYM fits better if you care most about more income today and smaller drawdowns.
| Metric | VTI Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF | VYM Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield (TTM) | 1.05% | 2.28% |
| Dividend / share (TTM) | $3.95 | $3.68 |
| Payout frequency | Quarterly | Quarterly |
| Last dividend | $0.9555 on Sep 30, 2026 | $0.8869 on Sep 22, 2026 |
| Ex-dividend date | Sep 28, 2026 | Sep 18, 2026 |
| Dividend growth (CAGR) | 6.4% over 4 yrs | 3.1% over 4 yrs |
| Price | $377.09 | $161.15 |
| Dividend growth streak | 5 years | 15 years |
| Beta | 1.02 | 0.75 |
| Max drawdown (5Y) | -25.4% | -15.8% |
| Market cap | $2.30T | $95.79B |
| Exchange | AMEX | AMEX |
| Expense ratio | 0.03% | 0.04% |
| Assets under management | $2.30T | $95.80B |
| Number of holdings | 3598 | 589 |
| Top 10 concentration | 34.6% | 26.2% |
VTI
$8.72/mo
$105 /yr at 1.05% yield
VYM
$19.01/mo
$228 /yr at 2.28% yield
| Year | VTI | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $3.7566 | $3.5008 |
| 2024 | $3.6743 | $3.4945 |
| 2023 | $3.4128 | $3.4780 |
| 2022 | $3.1833 | $3.2518 |
| 2021 | $2.9303 | $3.0961 |
Current income is low and outside your control, so these need pairing with something else if the portfolio has to produce cash today.
What VTI vs VYM actually do
It tracks the CRSP US Total Market Index at market-cap weights, so the largest 500 names still dominate the return and it behaves much like an S&P 500 fund in practice. The difference is the long tail of mid, small and micro-cap companies that an S&P 500 fund leaves out entirely. Over a full cycle that tail changes the risk profile more than it changes the headline return, and dividend yield sits slightly below a large-cap-only fund because smaller companies pay out less.
Suits an investor who wants one holding to cover US equity without deciding where the size cutoff should sit. Not an income vehicle, and it adds no geographic diversification.
Core holding
It tracks the FTSE High Dividend Yield Index, which ranks US dividend payers by forecast yield, excludes REITs, and works down that ranking until roughly half the market value of the eligible universe is covered. Selection is on yield alone with no quality or growth screen, so the portfolio is wide and diversified but includes some payers a stricter screen would reject. Weighting is by market cap, meaning the biggest dividend-paying companies dominate.
Suits an investor who wants dependable above-market income with maximum breadth and minimum concentration risk. Less suitable if you specifically want dividend growth or a fundamental quality filter, since neither is part of the selection rule.
Core dividend holding
| Period | VTI | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| 1 month | 0.69% | 1.19% |
| 3 months | 3.22% | 0.62% |
| Year to date | 13.43% | 12.28% |
| 1 year | 15.24% | 14.10% |
| 3 years | 87.48% | 68.66% |
| 5 years | 72.19% | 67.01% |
- VTI
- VYM
Both series indexed to 100 on 2021-10-20 using the adjusted closing price series. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
- VTI
- VYM
| Largest shared holdings | VTI weight | VYM weight |
|---|---|---|
| AVGOBroadcom Inc | 2.28% | 6.93% |
| JPMJPMorgan Chase & Co | 1.20% | 3.75% |
| XOMExxonMobil Holdings Corp | 0.92% | 2.84% |
| JNJJohnson & Johnson | 0.87% | 2.71% |
| ABBVAbbVie Inc | 0.63% | 1.96% |
| CVXChevron Corp | 0.52% | 1.61% |
| CSCOCisco Systems Inc | 0.52% | 1.80% |
| CATCaterpillar Inc | 0.51% | 1.56% |
| BACBank of America Corp | 0.49% | 1.50% |
| MRKMerck & Co Inc | 0.49% | 1.52% |
VTI3598 holdings total
Quick verdict
VTI fits better if you care most about stronger 5-year returns, faster dividend growth and broader diversification. VYM fits better if you care most about more income today and smaller drawdowns. Model the holding inside your real portfolio before deciding.
Frequently asked questions
Is VTI or VYM better for dividend income?
What is the difference between VTI and VYM?
Which is cheaper, VTI or VYM?
Which has performed better, VTI or VYM?
Which is riskier, VTI or VYM?
How much do VTI and VYM overlap?
How often do VTI and VYM pay dividends?
How much income does $10,000 in VTI vs VYM generate?
Can I hold both VTI and VYM?
Where can I compare VTI vs VYM with my full portfolio?
Related comparisons
For informational and educational purposes only. Not investment advice. Past performance and current yields do not guarantee future results. Verify figures independently before making investment decisions.