SCHH vs VNQ: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared
As of Nov 5, 2026, VNQ yields more: 3.53% (dividend yield) against 2.86% for SCHH. SCHH is cheaper to own at 0.07% a year vs 0.13%. Over the same 15 years (Jan 2011 to Oct 2026), VNQ returned 7.3% a year with distributions reinvested, and SCHH 6.4%.
VNQVanguard Real Estate Index Fund ETF Shares3.53%dividend yield| Compared | SCHH | VNQ |
|---|---|---|
| YieldDividend yield | 2.86% | 3.53% |
| Expense ratio | 0.07% | 0.13% |
| Total return, 1 yr | +12.7% | +9.3% |
| Total return, 3 yr (a year) | +13.7% | +13.2% |
| Total return, 5 yr (a year) | +1.8% | +0.9% |
| Total return, 10 yr (a year) | +4.2% | +5.5% |
| Worst drop since Jan 2011 | -31.5% | -32.7% |
| Share price since Jan 2011 | +76% | +64% |
| Pays | Quarterly | Quarterly |
| Issuer | Schwab | Vanguard |
| Assets | $11.0B | $68.1B |
| Started | 2011 | 2004 |
| Type | Real Estate | Real Estate |
Higher yield
VNQ
3.53%
Lower cost
SCHH
0.07%
Better total return
VNQ
7.3%/yr
Smaller worst drop
SCHH
-31.5%
Key facts: SCHH vs VNQ
Data as of · Source: SmarterDividends data
- As of Nov 5, 2026, SCHH yields 2.86% (dividend yield) and VNQ yields 3.53% (dividend yield).
- SCHH's expense ratio is 0.07% and VNQ's is 0.13%: $7 vs $13 a year on $10,000.
- From Jan 2011 to Oct 2026, $10,000 in SCHH grew to $26,678 (6.4% a year) and $10,000 in VNQ to $30,500 (7.3% a year), distributions reinvested.
- Their worst month-end drops over that time: -31.5% for SCHH and -32.7% for VNQ.
- 9 of SCHH's top ten holdings are also in VNQ's top ten, an overlap of at least 40% of the fund.
Cite this page
SmarterDividends, "SCHH vs VNQ: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared," updated Nov 5, 2026, https://smarterdividends.com/compare/schh-vs-vnq
$10,000 in each, Jan 2011 to Oct 2026
Distributions reinvested, month-end values, with the S&P 500 for reference.
SCHH became
$26,678
6.4% a year
VNQ became
$30,500
7.3% a year
Year by year
| Year | SCHH | VNQ |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | +2.2% | +3.2% |
| 2024 | +5.0% | +4.8% |
| 2023 | +11.2% | +11.8% |
| 2022 | −25.0% | −26.2% |
| 2021 | +41.1% | +40.5% |
| 2020 | −15.1% | −4.6% |
| 2019 | +22.8% | +28.9% |
| 2018 | −4.1% | −6.0% |
| 2017 | +2.7% | +4.9% |
| 2016 | +6.5% | +8.6% |
| 2015 | +4.4% | +2.4% |
| 2014 | +31.8% | +30.4% |
| 2013 | +1.3% | +2.3% |
| 2012 | +16.8% | +17.6% |
Total return each calendar year, distributions reinvested.
Top holdings
9 of the top ten overlap, at least 40% of each fund.
SCHH
- WELL Welltower Inc10.0%
- PLD Prologis Inc8.3%
- AMT American Tower Corp5.0%
- SPG Simon Property Group Inc4.7%
- EQIX Equinix Inc4.5%
- DLR Digital Realty Trust Inc4.5%
- PSA Public Storage3.9%
- O Realty Income Corp3.9%
- VMRK Vivmark Residential3.2%
- VTR Ventas Inc3.1%
VNQ
- VRTPX Vanguard Real Estate II Index14.5%
- WELL Welltower Inc9.1%
- PLD Prologis Inc6.9%
- EQIX Equinix Inc5.7%
- AMT American Tower Corp4.3%
- SPG Simon Property Group Inc3.7%
- DLR Digital Realty Trust Inc3.7%
- O Realty Income Corp2.8%
- PSA Public Storage2.7%
- VMRK Vivmark Residential2.5%
SCHH vs VNQ: questions
Is SCHH or VNQ better?
It depends on the job. VNQ pays more today (3.53% vs 2.86%), SCHH costs less, and VNQ has the better total return over Jan 2011 to Oct 2026, with SCHH holding up better in its worst stretch. For income, look at yield and whether the payouts hold up; for growth, total return and drawdowns.
Which pays a higher dividend, SCHH or VNQ?
VNQ, at 3.53% against 2.86% for SCHH as of Nov 5, 2026. On $10,000 that's about $353 vs $286 a year at today's rates.
Which has the better total return?
VNQ. From Jan 2011 to Oct 2026, it returned 7.3% a year with distributions reinvested, against 6.4% for SCHH. $10,000 became $30,500 vs $26,678.
Which is cheaper, SCHH or VNQ?
SCHH, with a 0.07% expense ratio against 0.13%.
Do SCHH and VNQ hold the same things?
Partly. 9 of their top ten holdings match (WELL, PLD, EQIX, AMT), at least 40% of each fund. Owning both doubles up on those.
Related comparisons
Yields, costs and holdings as each fund reports them (via Yahoo Finance), updated daily; returns from month-end prices with distributions reinvested. SCHH leads on 6 of 8 measures above. For information only, not investment advice. Last fund data: Nov 5, 2026.