TOTR vs VYM
T. Rowe Price Total Return ETF vs Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF
Which is better, TOTR or VYM?
VYM has been ahead.
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 | TOTR | VYM |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.31% | 0.04%Best |
| AUM | $571M | $81.6B |
| Dividend Yield | 5.36% | 2.22% |
| Holdings | 1,222 | 613 |
| YTD Return | -1.02% | +13.91%Best |
| 1Y Return | -0.34% | +17.57%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +4.41% | +18.12%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | -0.60% | +12.17%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 6.5%Best | 13.7% |
| Max Drawdown | -19.6% | -15.8%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $9,704 | $17,758Best |
| Fund Family | T.Rowe Price | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | - | Large Cap Value |
| Inception | Sep 28, 2021 | Nov 10, 2006 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 29, 2021 to Sep 11, 2026 (5 years).
TOTR 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 5 years both funds cover.
TOTR vs VYM Performance
T. Rowe Price Total Return ETF (TOTR) is an ETF from T.Rowe Price and Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF (VYM) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year TOTR returned -0.34% while VYM returned +17.57%. Year to date, TOTR is down 1.02% versus a gain of 13.91% for VYM.
Over three years, TOTR compounded at +4.41% per year against +18.12% for VYM; over five years the annualized figures are -0.60% and +12.17% respectively.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VYM has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 13.7% compared with 6.5% for TOTR. 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 -19.6% for TOTR and -15.8% 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 0.57. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
TOTR charges 0.31% per year while VYM charges 0.04%. On a $10,000 position that is $31 vs $4 annually, a gap of $27 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, TOTR currently yields 5.36% against 2.22% for VYM.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 579 holdings in TOTR and 603 in VYM, totalling 64.7% and 99.5% 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 151 days apart, TOTR as of Jan 30, 2026 and VYM 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 579 positions we hold weights for in TOTR and 603 in VYM, against full books of 1,222 and 613.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of TOTR 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, TOTR or VYM?
TOTR has an expense ratio of 0.31% while VYM charges 0.04%. VYM is the cheaper option, by $27 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, TOTR or VYM?
Over the past year TOTR returned -0.34% vs +17.57% for VYM, so VYM leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, TOTR or VYM?
VYM has been the more volatile fund at 13.7% annualized versus 6.5% for TOTR. Worst drawdown: TOTR -19.6% vs VYM -15.8%.
Should I hold both TOTR and VYM?
TOTR and VYM have a monthly-return correlation of 0.57, 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, TOTR or VYM?
TOTR yields 5.36% while VYM yields 2.22%, so TOTR currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VYM better than TOTR?
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.