MUC vs VYM
BlackRock MuniHoldings California Quality Fund, Inc vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, MUC or VYM?
Municipal California against Large Cap Value.
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM 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 | MUC | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 2.82% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $1.4B | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 5.66% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 213 | 613 |
| YTD Return | -1.09% | +10.96%Best |
| 1Y Return | -0.81% | +15.42%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +6.50% | +17.78%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -3.96% | +12.05%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 13.4%Best | 14.6% |
| Max Drawdown | -54.4%Best | -58.8% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $8,171 | $17,663Best |
| Fund Family | BlackRock, Inc. (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Tax Preferred | Equity |
| Style | Municipal California | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Feb 27, 1998 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Nov 16, 2006 to Sep 22, 2026 (19.8 years).
MUC vs VYM 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 19.8 years both funds cover.
MUC vs VYM Performance
BlackRock MuniHoldings California Quality Fund, Inc (MUC) is an ETF from BlackRock, Inc. (US) and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year MUC returned -0.81% while VYM returned +15.42%. Year to date, MUC is down 1.09% versus a gain of 10.96% for VYM.
Over three years, MUC compounded at +6.50% per year against +17.78% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are -3.96% and +12.05% respectively. Across the full 20-year window we track, VYM has the edge at +6.80% annualized vs -0.55%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VYM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 14.6% compared with 13.4% for MUC. 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 -54.4% for MUC and -58.8% for VYM. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.27. They move largely independently of each other.
Fees and Cost Over Time
MUC charges 2.82% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $282 vs $4 annually, a gap of $278 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, MUC currently yields 5.66% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 84 holdings in MUC and 557 in VYM, totalling 82.2% and 99.2% 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, MUC as of Jan 31, 2026 and VYM as of Jul 31, 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 84 positions we hold weights for in MUC and 557 in VYM, against full books of 213 and 613.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of MUC and VYM 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, MUC or VYM?
MUC has an expense ratio of 2.82% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $278 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, MUC or VYM?
Over the past year MUC returned -0.81% vs +15.42% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (20 years), MUC annualized -0.55% vs +6.80% for VYM. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, MUC or VYM?
VYM has been the more volatile fund at 14.6% annualized versus 13.4% for MUC. Worst drawdown: MUC -54.4% vs VYM -58.8%.
Should I hold both MUC and VYM?
MUC and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.27, 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, MUC or VYM?
MUC yields 5.66% while VYM yields 2.22%, so MUC currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than MUC?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. VYM 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.