JCAL vs SPY
JPMorgan California Tax Free Bond ETF vs State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust
Which is better, JCAL or SPY?
Municipal Bond against Large Cap Blend.
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY led over 1Y.
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 | JCAL | SPY |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.34% | 0.09%Best |
| AUM | $497M | $804.7B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.57% | 0.98% |
| Holdings | 311 | 505 |
| YTD Return | -3.59% | +12.99%Best |
| 1Y Return | - | +16.73% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +22.52% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +13.07% |
| Fund Family | J.P. Morgan Asset Management | State Street Investment Management |
| Category | Tax Preferred | Equity |
| Style | Municipal Bond | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jun 12, 2026 | Jan 22, 1993 |
Not shown on this pair: Volatility (annualized), Max Drawdown, $10,000 over the window, Top 10 Weight.
JCAL vs SPY 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 is available from the range buttons; it is not the opening view here because over the whole period one of these two funds moves so much further than the other that its line would sit flat on the axis.
JCAL vs SPY Performance
JPMorgan California Tax Free Bond ETF (JCAL) is an ETF from J.P. Morgan Asset Management and State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) is an ETF from State Street Investment Management. Year to date, JCAL is down 3.59% versus a gain of 12.99% for SPY.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Fees and Cost Over Time
JCAL charges 0.34% per year while SPY charges 0.09%. On a $10,000 position that is $34 vs $9 annually, a gap of $25 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, JCAL currently yields 0.57% against 0.98% for SPY.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of JCAL and SPY 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, JCAL or SPY?
JCAL has an expense ratio of 0.34% while SPY charges 0.09%. SPY is the cheaper option, by $25 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which pays a higher dividend, JCAL or SPY?
JCAL yields 0.57% while SPY yields 0.98%, so SPY currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is SPY better than JCAL?
SPY has a lower expense ratio. SPY led over 1Y. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.