VNQ vs VT
Vanguard Real Estate ETF vs Vanguard Total World Stock ETF
Which is better, VNQ or VT?
Mid Cap Blend against Large Cap Blend.
VT has a lower expense ratio. VT 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 | VNQ | VT |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.13% | 0.06%Best |
| AUM | $39.3B | $97.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 3.49% | 1.55% |
| Holdings | 144 | 10,133 |
| YTD Return | +7.83% | +14.15%Best |
| 1Y Return | +6.08% | +18.45%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +10.89% | +21.86%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +1.21% | +11.28%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 22.0% | 16.6%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -67.5% | -50.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $10,620 | $17,064Best |
| Fund Family | Vanguard (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Sep 23, 2004 | Jun 24, 2008 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: Jun 26, 2008 to Sep 22, 2026 (18.2 years).
VNQ vs VT 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 18.2 years both funds cover.
VNQ vs VT Performance
Vanguard Real Estate ETF (VNQ) is an ETF from Vanguard (US) and Vanguard Total World Stock ETF (VT) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year VNQ returned +6.08% while VT returned +18.45%. Year to date, VNQ is up 7.83% versus a gain of 14.15% for VT.
Over three years, VNQ compounded at +10.89% per year against +21.86% for VT; over five years the annualized figures are +1.21% and +11.28% respectively. Across the full 18-year window we track, VT has the edge at +7.31% annualized vs +3.74%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VNQ has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 22.0% compared with 16.6% for VT. 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 -67.5% for VNQ and -50.6% for VT. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.76. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
VNQ charges 0.13% per year while VT 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 1.55% for VT.
Holdings Overlap
At least 95.4% of VNQ's money is in holdings VT also owns.
Stated as a floor: for VT, our book for it covers 90.1% of that fund, so a holding it does not list is one we cannot count as shared. The real figure is this or higher.
Most of VNQ is already inside VT. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
95 positions in common, counted across the 139 positions we hold weights for in VNQ and 9,272 in VT, against full books of 144 and 10,133.
What only one of them owns
Measured across the 139 and 9,272 positions we hold weights for.
VT holds 821 positions VNQ does not, 57.6% of the fund.
Largest: NVDA 4.03%, AAPL 3.84%, MSFT 2.97%, AMZN 2.27%, GOOG 1.82%
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in VNQ | Weight in VT | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| WELLWelltower, Inc. | 9.92% | 0.14% | 9.78% |
| PLDPrologis Inc | 8.17% | 0.11% | 8.06% |
| EQIXEquinix Inc. Real Estate Investment Trust | 6.10% | 0.09% | 6.01% |
| AMTAmerican Tower Corporation | 4.90% | 0.07% | 4.83% |
| SPGSimon Property Group Inc | 4.52% | 0.06% | 4.46% |
| DLRDigital Realty Trust Inc. | 3.93% | 0.06% | 3.87% |
| ORealty Income Corp. | 3.58% | 0.05% | 3.53% |
| PSAPublic Storage | 3.30% | 0.05% | 3.25% |
| VTRVentas Inc . | 2.70% | 0.04% | 2.66% |
| CBRECbre Services Inc | 2.63% | 0.04% | 2.59% |
95.4% of VNQ is already inside VT.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, VNQ or VT?
VNQ has an expense ratio of 0.13% while VT charges 0.06%. VT is the cheaper option, by $7 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, VNQ or VT?
Over the past year VNQ returned +6.08% vs +18.45% for VT, so VT leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (18 years), VNQ annualized +3.74% vs +7.31% for VT. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, VNQ or VT?
VNQ has been the more volatile fund at 22.0% annualized versus 16.6% for VT. Worst drawdown: VNQ -67.5% vs VT -50.6%.
Should I hold both VNQ and VT?
VNQ and VT have a monthly-return correlation of 0.76, 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 VT?
At least 95.4% of VNQ's money is in holdings VT also owns. Our book for VT is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 95 positions in common, counted across the 139 positions we hold weights for in VNQ and 9,272 in VT.
Which pays a higher dividend, VNQ or VT?
VNQ yields 3.49% while VT yields 1.55%, so VNQ currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VT better than VNQ?
VT has a lower expense ratio. VT 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.