SmarterDividends

SGOV vs SPAXX: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared

As of Nov 5, 2026, SGOV yields more: 3.64% (current yield) against 3.33% for SPAXX. SGOV's income is generally exempt from state income tax; SPAXX's is only partly exempt from state income tax. SGOV trades like a stock at any broker; SPAXX is Fidelity's money market fund, usually held in a Fidelity account.

ComparedSGOVSPAXX
YieldSGOV: current yield; SPAXX: 7-day yield3.64%3.33%
Expense ratio0.09%In the yield
Total return, 1 yr+3.7%—
Total return, 3 yr (a year)+4.5%—
Total return, 5 yr (a year)+3.8%—
PaysMonthlyMonthly
IssueriSharesFidelity
Assets$116.8B—
Started2020—
TypeTreasury ETFGovernment money market

Higher yield

SGOV

3.64%

Lighter state tax

SGOV

exempt from state income tax

$10,000 earns

$364

a year in SGOV

Key facts: SGOV vs SPAXX

Data as of · Source: SmarterDividends data

  • As of Nov 5, 2026, SGOV yields 3.64% (current yield) and SPAXX yields 3.33% (7-day yield).
  • SGOV's income is generally exempt from state income tax, while SPAXX's is only partly exempt from state income tax.
  • SGOV trades like a stock at any broker; SPAXX is Fidelity's money market fund, usually held in a Fidelity account.
Cite this page

SmarterDividends, "SGOV vs SPAXX: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared," updated Nov 5, 2026, https://smarterdividends.com/compare/sgov-vs-spaxx

What each holds and how it's taxed

SGOV · Treasury ETF
Holds U.S. Treasury securities, so its income is generally exempt from state and local income tax (federal tax still applies).
SPAXX · Government money market
A government money market fund: Treasuries, agency debt and repurchase agreements. Only the part earned from Treasuries is exempt from state tax, which the fund reports each year.

General information, not tax advice. Every cash fund by yield →

SGOV vs SPAXX: questions

Is SGOV or SPAXX better?

It depends on the job. SGOV pays more today (3.64% vs 3.33%). 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, SGOV or SPAXX?

SGOV, at 3.64% against 3.33% for SPAXX as of Nov 5, 2026. On $10,000 that's about $364 vs $333 a year at today's rates.

How are SGOV and SPAXX taxed?

SGOV: Holds U.S. Treasury securities, so its income is generally exempt from state and local income tax (federal tax still applies). SPAXX: A government money market fund: Treasuries, agency debt and repurchase agreements. Only the part earned from Treasuries is exempt from state tax, which the fund reports each year. 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 1 of 1 measures above. For information only, not investment advice. Last fund data: Nov 5, 2026.