IYR vs VTI
iShares US Real Estate ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, IYR or VTI?
Mid Cap Blend against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 53.0%.
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 | IYR | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.37% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $4.4B | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.21% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 65 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +5.85% | +12.30%Best |
| 1Y Return | +3.85% | +16.08%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +8.48% | +21.01%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +1.09% | +12.36%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 20.1% | 15.3%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -76.5% | -56.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $10,557 | $17,908Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 53.0% | 33.3%Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jun 12, 2000 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: May 31, 2001 to Sep 18, 2026 (25.3 years).
IYR vs VTI growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 25.3 years both funds cover.
IYR vs VTI Performance
iShares US Real Estate ETF (IYR) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year IYR returned +3.85% while VTI returned +16.08%. Year to date, IYR is up 5.85% versus a gain of 12.30% for VTI.
Over three years, IYR compounded at +8.48% per year against +21.01% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +1.09% and +12.36% respectively. Across the full 25-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +8.03% annualized vs +4.25%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
IYR has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 20.1% compared with 15.3% for VTI. 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 -76.5% for IYR and -56.6% for VTI. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.73. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IYR charges 0.37% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $37 vs $3 annually, a gap of $34 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IYR currently yields 2.21% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
99.8% of IYR's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 2.0% of VTI's money is in holdings IYR also owns.
Most of IYR is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
60 positions in common, counted across the 61 positions we hold weights for in IYR and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 65 and 3,543.
What only one of them owns
Measured across the 61 and 3,463 positions we hold weights for.
VTI holds 1,092 positions IYR does not, 95.4% of the fund.
Largest: NVDA 6.40%, AAPL 6.29%, MSFT 4.79%, AMZN 3.65%, GOOGL 2.90%
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in IYR | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| WELLWelltower, Inc. | 11.22% | 0.23% | 10.99% |
| PLDPrologis Inc | 9.13% | 0.19% | 8.94% |
| DLRDigital Realty Trust Inc. | 4.75% | 0.09% | 4.66% |
| EQIXEquinix Inc. Real Estate Investment Trust | 4.55% | 0.14% | 4.41% |
| SPGSimon Property Group Inc | 4.51% | 0.10% | 4.41% |
| ORealty Income Corp. | 4.21% | 0.08% | 4.13% |
| AMTAmerican Tower Corporation | 4.12% | 0.11% | 4.01% |
| PSAPublic Storage | 3.79% | 0.08% | 3.71% |
| EQRVivmark Residential | 3.51% | 0.03% | 3.48% |
| VTRVentas Inc . | 3.26% | 0.06% | 3.20% |
99.8% of IYR is already inside VTI.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, IYR or VTI?
IYR has an expense ratio of 0.37% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $34 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, IYR or VTI?
Over the past year IYR returned +3.85% vs +16.08% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (25 years), IYR annualized +4.25% vs +8.03% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IYR or VTI?
IYR has been the more volatile fund at 20.1% annualized versus 15.3% for VTI. Worst drawdown: IYR -76.5% vs VTI -56.6%.
Should I hold both IYR and VTI?
IYR and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.73, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between IYR and VTI?
99.8% of IYR's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 2.0% of VTI's is in holdings IYR also owns. They hold 60 positions in common, counted across the 61 positions we hold weights for in IYR and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, IYR or VTI?
IYR yields 2.21% while VTI yields 1.03%, so IYR currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than IYR?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.3% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 53.0%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.