MUA vs VOO
BlackRock MuniAssets Fund, Inc vs Vanguard S&P 500 ETF
Which is better, MUA or VOO?
Municipal Bond against Large Cap Blend.
VOO has a lower expense ratio. VOO led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y 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 | MUA | VOO |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 1.67% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $712M | $997.4B |
| Dividend Yield | 6.23% | 1.04% |
| Holdings | 561 | 509 |
| YTD Return | -3.99% | +12.23%Best |
| 1Y Return | -7.50% | +18.60%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +7.14% | +20.98%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -4.05% | +12.76%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 14.2% | 14.1%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -43.0% | -34.3%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $8,133 | $18,230Best |
| Fund Family | BlackRock, Inc. (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Tax Preferred | Equity |
| Style | Municipal Bond | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jun 25, 1993 | Sep 7, 2010 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 9, 2010 to Sep 9, 2026 (16 years).
MUA vs VOO 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.
MUA vs VOO Performance
BlackRock MuniAssets Fund, Inc (MUA) is an ETF from BlackRock, Inc. (US) and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year MUA returned -7.50% while VOO returned +18.60%. Year to date, MUA is down 3.99% versus a gain of 12.23% for VOO.
Over three years, MUA compounded at +7.14% per year against +20.98% for VOO; over five years the annualized figures are -4.05% and +12.76% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, VOO has the edge at +13.40% annualized vs +0.24%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
MUA has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.2% compared with 14.1% for VOO. 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 -43.0% for MUA and -34.3% 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 0.34. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
MUA charges 1.67% per year while VOO charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $167 vs $3 annually, a gap of $164 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, MUA currently yields 6.23% against 1.04% for VOO.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 165 holdings in MUA and 505 in VOO, totalling 60.0% 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 150 days apart, MUA as of Jan 31, 2026 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 165 positions we hold weights for in MUA and 505 in VOO, against full books of 561 and 509.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of MUA 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, MUA or VOO?
MUA has an expense ratio of 1.67% while VOO charges 0.03%. VOO is the cheaper option, by $164 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, MUA or VOO?
Over the past year MUA returned -7.50% vs +18.60% for VOO, so VOO leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), MUA annualized +0.24% vs +13.40% for VOO. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, MUA or VOO?
MUA has been the more volatile fund at 14.2% annualized versus 14.1% for VOO. Worst drawdown: MUA -43.0% vs VOO -34.3%.
Should I hold both MUA and VOO?
MUA and VOO have a monthly-return correlation of 0.34, 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, MUA or VOO?
MUA yields 6.23% while VOO yields 1.04%, so MUA currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VOO better than MUA?
VOO has a lower expense ratio. VOO led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.