SmarterDividends

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%.

ComparedBILSSGOV
YieldCurrent yield3.67%3.64%
Expense ratio0.14%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%
PaysMonthlyMonthly
IssuerState Street Investment ManagementiShares
Assets$4.0B$116.8B
Started20202020
TypeTreasury ETFTreasury 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

Try other dates, monthly additions or more tickers →

Year by year

YearBILSSGOV
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.

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.