MUNJ vs VYM
Northern Trust 2031 Tax-Exempt Distributing Ladder ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, MUNJ or VYM?
VYM costs less.
VYM has a lower expense ratio.
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 | MUNJ | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.18% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $5M | $83.1B |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 170 | 608 |
| YTD Return | -2.23% | +10.00%Best |
| 1Y Return | - | +13.75% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | - | +18.81% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +11.63% |
| Fund Family | Northern Trust Asset Management | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | - | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Aug 25, 2026 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Not shown on this pair: Volatility (annualized), Max Drawdown, $10,000 over the window, Top 10 Weight.
MUNJ 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 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.
MUNJ vs VYM Performance
Northern Trust 2031 Tax-Exempt Distributing Ladder ETF (MUNJ) is an ETF from Northern Trust Asset Management and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Year to date, MUNJ is down 2.23% versus a gain of 10.00% for VYM.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Fees and Cost Over Time
MUNJ charges 0.18% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $18 vs $4 annually, a gap of $14 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, MUNJ currently yields 0.00% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 4 holdings in MUNJ and 557 in VYM, totalling 2.4% and 99.2% 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 4 positions we hold weights for in MUNJ and 557 in VYM, against full books of 170 and 608.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of MUNJ 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, MUNJ or VYM?
MUNJ has an expense ratio of 0.18% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $14 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which pays a higher dividend, MUNJ or VYM?
MUNJ yields 0.00% while VYM yields 2.22%, so VYM currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than MUNJ?
VYM has a lower expense ratio. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.