BILS vs SGOV: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared
As of Nov 5, 2026, BILS yields more: 3.67% (current yield) against 3.64% for SGOV. SGOV is cheaper to own at 0.09% a year vs 0.14%. Over the same 6 years (Sep 2020 to Oct 2026), SGOV returned 3.2% a year with distributions reinvested, and BILS 3.0%.
| Compared | BILS | SGOV |
|---|---|---|
| YieldCurrent yield | 3.67% | 3.64% |
| Expense ratio | 0.14% | 0.09% |
| Total return, 1 yr | +3.7% | +3.7% |
| Total return, 3 yr (a year) | +4.5% | +4.5% |
| Total return, 5 yr (a year) | +3.6% | +3.8% |
| Worst drop since Sep 2020 | -0.3% | -0.0% |
| Share price since Sep 2020 | −1% | +1% |
| Pays | Monthly | Monthly |
| Issuer | State Street Investment Management | iShares |
| Assets | $4.0B | $116.8B |
| Started | 2020 | 2020 |
| Type | Treasury ETF | Treasury ETF |
Higher yield
BILS
3.67%
Lower cost
SGOV
0.09%
Better total return
SGOV
3.2%/yr
Smaller worst drop
SGOV
-0.0%
Key facts: BILS vs SGOV
Data as of · Source: SmarterDividends data
- As of Nov 5, 2026, BILS yields 3.67% (current yield) and SGOV yields 3.64% (current yield).
- BILS's expense ratio is 0.14% and SGOV's is 0.09%: $14 vs $9 a year on $10,000.
- From Sep 2020 to Oct 2026, $10,000 in BILS grew to $11,938 (3.0% a year) and $10,000 in SGOV to $12,083 (3.2% a year), distributions reinvested.
- Their worst month-end drops over that time: -0.3% for BILS and -0.0% for SGOV.
Cite this page
SmarterDividends, "BILS vs SGOV: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared," updated Nov 5, 2026, https://smarterdividends.com/compare/bils-vs-sgov
$10,000 in each, Sep 2020 to Oct 2026
Distributions reinvested, month-end values.
BILS became
$11,938
3.0% a year
SGOV became
$12,083
3.2% a year
Year by year
| Year | BILS | SGOV |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | +4.2% | +4.2% |
| 2024 | +5.2% | +5.3% |
| 2023 | +4.9% | +5.1% |
| 2022 | +0.9% | +1.6% |
| 2021 | −0.1% | +0.0% |
Total return each calendar year, distributions reinvested.
What each holds and how it's taxed
- BILS · Treasury ETF
- Holds U.S. Treasury securities, so its income is generally exempt from state and local income tax (federal tax still applies).
- SGOV · Treasury ETF
- Holds U.S. Treasury securities, so its income is generally exempt from state and local income tax (federal tax still applies).
General information, not tax advice. Every cash fund by yield →
BILS vs SGOV: questions
Is BILS or SGOV better?
It depends on the job. BILS pays more today (3.67% vs 3.64%), SGOV costs less, and SGOV has the better total return over Sep 2020 to Oct 2026, with SGOV holding up better in its worst stretch. For cash you may need soon, yield after tax and how easily you can get the money out matter more than past returns.
Which pays a higher dividend, BILS or SGOV?
BILS, at 3.67% against 3.64% for SGOV as of Nov 5, 2026. On $10,000 that's about $367 vs $364 a year at today's rates.
Which has the better total return?
SGOV. From Sep 2020 to Oct 2026, it returned 3.2% a year with distributions reinvested, against 3.0% for BILS. $10,000 became $12,083 vs $11,938.
Which is cheaper, BILS or SGOV?
SGOV, with a 0.09% expense ratio against 0.14%.
How are BILS and SGOV taxed?
BILS: Holds U.S. Treasury securities, so its income is generally exempt from state and local income tax (federal tax still applies). SGOV: Holds U.S. Treasury securities, so its income is generally exempt from state and local income tax (federal tax still applies). General information, not tax advice.
Related comparisons
Yields, costs and holdings as each fund reports them (via Yahoo Finance), updated daily; returns from month-end prices with distributions reinvested. SGOV leads on 5 of 6 measures above. For information only, not investment advice. Last fund data: Nov 5, 2026.
