CA vs VOO
Xtrackers California Municipal Bond ETF vs Vanguard S&P 500 ETF
Which is better, CA or VOO?
Municipal California against Large Cap Blend.
VOO has a lower expense ratio. VOO led over 1Y and the full window.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | CA | VOO |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.07% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $21M | $997.4B |
| Dividend Yield | 3.21% | 1.08% |
| Holdings | 259 | 509 |
| Volatility (annualized) | 4.1%Best | 12.2% |
| Max Drawdown | -5.2%Best | -18.7% |
| $10,000 over 2.4 years | $10,688 | $16,066Best |
| Fund Family | Xtrackers ETFs | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Tax Preferred | Equity |
| Style | Municipal California | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Dec 14, 2023 | Sep 7, 2010 |
Not shown on this pair: YTD Return, 1Y Return, 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized), Top 10 Weight.
The two price series end 120 days apart, so a return over any period would be measuring two different stretches of market. Those rows are withheld. CA has data through May 7, 2026 and VOO through Sep 4, 2026.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 2.4 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Dec 15, 2023 to May 7, 2026 (2.4 years).
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VOO has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 12.2% compared with 4.1% for CA. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -5.2% for CA and -18.7% for VOO. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.57. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
CA charges 0.07% per year while VOO charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $7 vs $3 annually, a gap of $4 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, CA currently yields 3.21% against 1.08% for VOO.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 160 holdings in CA and 505 in VOO, totalling 59.9% and 99.9% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
The two holdings books were reported 181 days apart, CA as of Dec 31, 2025 and VOO as of Jun 30, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
0 positions in common, counted across the 160 positions we hold weights for in CA and 505 in VOO, against full books of 259 and 509.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of CA and VOO you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, CA or VOO?
CA has an expense ratio of 0.07% while VOO charges 0.03%. VOO is the cheaper option, by $4 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which is riskier, CA or VOO?
VOO has been the more volatile fund at 12.2% annualized versus 4.1% for CA. Worst drawdown: CA -5.2% vs VOO -18.7%.
Should I hold both CA and VOO?
CA and VOO have a monthly-return correlation of 0.57, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, CA or VOO?
CA yields 3.21% while VOO yields 1.08%, so CA currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VOO better than CA?
VOO has a lower expense ratio. VOO led over 1Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.