VNQ vs VONG
Vanguard Real Estate ETF vs Vanguard Russell 1000 Growth ETF
Which is better, VNQ or VONG?
Mid Cap Blend against Large Cap Growth.
VONG has a lower expense ratio. VONG led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VNQ is less concentrated, with 54.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 54.3%.
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 | VNQ | VONG |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.13% | 0.06%Best |
| AUM | $39.3B | $43.5B |
| Dividend Yield | 3.49% | 0.48% |
| Holdings | 144 | 373 |
| YTD Return | +10.60%Best | +4.89% |
| 1Y Return | +9.07% | +10.30%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +9.86% | +21.23%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +1.19% | +11.83%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 16.9% | 15.9%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -42.8% | -32.7%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $10,609 | $17,490Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 54.1%Best | 54.3% |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Blend | Large Cap Growth |
| Inception | Sep 23, 2004 | Sep 20, 2010 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 22, 2010 to Sep 4, 2026 (16 years).
VNQ vs VONG 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 16 years both funds cover.
VNQ vs VONG Performance
Vanguard Real Estate ETF (VNQ) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and Vanguard Russell 1000 Growth ETF (VONG) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year VNQ returned +9.07% while VONG returned +10.30%. Year to date, VNQ is up 10.60% versus a gain of 4.89% for VONG.
Over three years, VNQ compounded at +9.86% per year against +21.23% for VONG; over five years the annualized figures are +1.19% and +11.83% respectively. Across the full 16-year window we track, VONG has the edge at +15.65% annualized vs +5.13%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VNQ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 16.9% compared with 15.9% for VONG. 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 -42.8% for VNQ and -32.7% for VONG. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.64. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VNQ charges 0.13% per year while VONG charges 0.06%. On a $10,000 position that is $13 vs $6 annually, a gap of $7 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, VNQ currently yields 3.49% against 0.48% for VONG.
Holdings Overlap
14.8% of VNQ's money is in holdings VONG also owns. 0.4% of VONG's money is in holdings VNQ also owns.
VNQ and VONG share little of their money.
7 positions in common, counted across the 144 positions we hold weights for in VNQ and 371 in VONG, against full books of 144 and 373.
What only one of them owns
Our book lists 301 positions for VONG that do not appear in our book for VNQ (99.2% of the fund), and 135 for VNQ that do not appear in VONG (84.5%).
Some of those will be the same company recorded under a different code in one of the two books, so the real difference in what you would own is no larger than this and may be smaller. We do not name the individual positions here for that reason.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in VNQ | Weight in VONG | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AMTAmerican Tower Corporation | 4.05% | 0.15% | 3.90% |
| SPGSimon Property Group Inc | 3.86% | 0.21% | 3.65% |
| PSAPublic Storage | 2.67% | 0.02% | 2.65% |
| CBRECBRE group | 2.11% | 0.01% | 2.10% |
| JLLJones Lang Lasalle Inc. | 0.77% | 0.00% | 0.77% |
| LAMRLamar Advertising Co | 0.71% | 0.01% | 0.70% |
| CSGPCostar Group Inc. | 0.63% | 0.00% | 0.63% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of VNQ and VONG 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, VNQ or VONG?
VNQ has an expense ratio of 0.13% while VONG charges 0.06%. VONG is the cheaper option, by $7 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VNQ or VONG?
Over the past year VNQ returned +9.07% vs +10.30% for VONG, so VONG leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (16 years), VNQ annualized +5.13% vs +15.65% for VONG. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VNQ or VONG?
VNQ has been the more volatile fund at 16.9% annualized versus 15.9% for VONG. Worst drawdown: VNQ -42.8% vs VONG -32.7%.
Should I hold both VNQ and VONG?
VNQ and VONG have a monthly-return correlation of 0.64, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between VNQ and VONG?
14.8% of VNQ's money is in holdings VONG also owns. 0.4% of VONG's is in holdings VNQ also owns. They hold 7 positions in common, counted across the 144 positions we hold weights for in VNQ and 371 in VONG.
Which pays a higher dividend, VNQ or VONG?
VNQ yields 3.49% while VONG yields 0.48%, so VNQ currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VONG better than VNQ?
VONG has a lower expense ratio. VONG led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VNQ is less concentrated, with 54.1% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 54.3%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.