MUNA vs VOO
Northern Trust 2030 Tax-Exempt Distributing Ladder ETF vs Vanguard S&P 500 ETF
Which is better, MUNA or VOO?
VOO has been ahead.
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 | MUNA | VOO |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.18% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $8M | $997.4B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.07% | 1.04% |
| Holdings | 240 | 509 |
| YTD Return | +1.21% | +12.25%Best |
| 1Y Return | +0.99% | +17.03%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +21.25% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +13.08% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 1.2%Best | 12.9% |
| Max Drawdown | -1.4%Best | -8.9% |
| $10,000 over 1.1 years | $10,186 | $12,105Best |
| Fund Family | Northern Trust Asset Management | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | - | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Feb 28, 2025 | Sep 7, 2010 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.1 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Aug 19, 2025 to Sep 17, 2026 (1.1 years).
MUNA 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.
MUNA vs VOO Performance
Northern Trust 2030 Tax-Exempt Distributing Ladder ETF (MUNA) is an ETF from Northern Trust Asset Management and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year MUNA returned +0.99% while VOO returned +17.03%. Year to date, MUNA is up 1.21% versus a gain of 12.25% for VOO.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VOO has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 12.9% compared with 1.2% for MUNA. 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 -1.4% for MUNA and -8.9% 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 0.44. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
MUNA charges 0.18% per year while VOO charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $18 vs $3 annually, a gap of $15 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, MUNA currently yields 2.07% against 1.04% for VOO.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 18 holdings in MUNA and 494 in VOO, totalling 6.4% and 99.5% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 18 positions we hold weights for in MUNA and 494 in VOO, against full books of 240 and 509.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of MUNA 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, MUNA or VOO?
MUNA has an expense ratio of 0.18% while VOO charges 0.03%. VOO is the cheaper option, by $15 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, MUNA or VOO?
Over the past year MUNA returned +0.99% vs +17.03% for VOO, so VOO leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (1 years), MUNA annualized +1.69% vs +18.97% for VOO. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, MUNA or VOO?
VOO has been the more volatile fund at 12.9% annualized versus 1.2% for MUNA. Worst drawdown: MUNA -1.4% vs VOO -8.9%.
Should I hold both MUNA and VOO?
MUNA and VOO have a monthly-return correlation of 0.44, 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, MUNA or VOO?
MUNA yields 2.07% while VOO yields 1.04%, so MUNA currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VOO better than MUNA?
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.