SCHO vs SGOV: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared
As of Nov 5, 2026, SCHO yields more: 3.82% (current yield) against 3.64% for SGOV. SCHO is cheaper to own at 0.03% a year vs 0.09%. Over the same 6 years (May 2020 to Oct 2026), SGOV returned 3.0% a year with distributions reinvested, and SCHO 1.6%.
| Compared | SCHO | SGOV |
|---|---|---|
| YieldCurrent yield | 3.82% | 3.64% |
| Expense ratio | 0.03% | 0.09% |
| Total return, 1 yr | +2.2% | +3.7% |
| Total return, 3 yr (a year) | +4.2% | +4.5% |
| Total return, 5 yr (a year) | +2.1% | +3.8% |
| Total return, 10 yr (a year) | +1.8% | — |
| Worst drop since May 2020 | -5.3% | -0.0% |
| Share price since May 2020 | −7% | +1% |
| Pays | Monthly | Monthly |
| Issuer | Schwab | iShares |
| Assets | $15.7B | $116.8B |
| Started | 2010 | 2020 |
| Type | Treasury ETF | Treasury ETF |
Higher yield
SCHO
3.82%
Lower cost
SCHO
0.03%
Better total return
SGOV
3.0%/yr
Smaller worst drop
SGOV
-0.0%
Key facts: SCHO vs SGOV
Data as of · Source: SmarterDividends data
- As of Nov 5, 2026, SCHO yields 3.82% (current yield) and SGOV yields 3.64% (current yield).
- SCHO's expense ratio is 0.03% and SGOV's is 0.09%: $3 vs $9 a year on $10,000.
- From May 2020 to Oct 2026, $10,000 in SCHO grew to $11,063 (1.6% a year) and $10,000 in SGOV to $12,088 (3.0% a year), distributions reinvested.
- Their worst month-end drops over that time: -5.3% for SCHO and -0.0% for SGOV.
Cite this page
SmarterDividends, "SCHO vs SGOV: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared," updated Nov 5, 2026, https://smarterdividends.com/compare/scho-vs-sgov
$10,000 in each, May 2020 to Oct 2026
Distributions reinvested, month-end values.
SCHO became
$11,063
1.6% a year
SGOV became
$12,088
3.0% a year
Year by year
| Year | SCHO | SGOV |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | +5.5% | +4.2% |
| 2024 | +3.6% | +5.3% |
| 2023 | +4.3% | +5.1% |
| 2022 | −3.9% | +1.6% |
| 2021 | −0.6% | +0.0% |
Total return each calendar year, distributions reinvested.
What each holds and how it's taxed
- SCHO · 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 →
SCHO vs SGOV: questions
Is SCHO or SGOV better?
It depends on the job. SCHO pays more today (3.82% vs 3.64%), SCHO costs less, and SGOV has the better total return over May 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, SCHO or SGOV?
SCHO, at 3.82% against 3.64% for SGOV as of Nov 5, 2026. On $10,000 that's about $382 vs $364 a year at today's rates.
Which has the better total return?
SGOV. From May 2020 to Oct 2026, it returned 3.0% a year with distributions reinvested, against 1.6% for SCHO. $10,000 became $12,088 vs $11,063.
Which is cheaper, SCHO or SGOV?
SCHO, with a 0.03% expense ratio against 0.09%.
How are SCHO and SGOV taxed?
SCHO: 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 4 of 6 measures above. For information only, not investment advice. Last fund data: Nov 5, 2026.
