TLT vs VGLT: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared
As of Nov 5, 2026, TLT yields more: 4.35% (dividend yield) against 4.00% for VGLT. VGLT is cheaper to own at 0.03% a year vs 0.15%. Over the same 16 years (Nov 2009 to Oct 2026), VGLT returned 2.2% a year with distributions reinvested, and TLT 2.0%.
TLTiShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF4.35%dividend yield| Compared | TLT | VGLT |
|---|---|---|
| YieldDividend yield | 4.35% | 4.00% |
| Expense ratio | 0.15% | 0.03% |
| Total return, 1 yr | −5.2% | −4.2% |
| Total return, 3 yr (a year) | +3.6% | +4.4% |
| Total return, 5 yr (a year) | −7.9% | −6.7% |
| Total return, 10 yr (a year) | −1.8% | −1.2% |
| Worst drop since Nov 2009 | -47.6% | -45.3% |
| Share price since Nov 2009 | −15% | −14% |
| Pays | Monthly | Monthly |
| Issuer | iShares | Vanguard |
| Assets | $47.5B | $15.9B |
| Started | 2002 | 2009 |
| Type | Long Government | Long Government |
Higher yield
TLT
4.35%
Lower cost
VGLT
0.03%
Better total return
VGLT
2.2%/yr
Smaller worst drop
VGLT
-45.3%
Key facts: TLT vs VGLT
Data as of · Source: SmarterDividends data
- As of Nov 5, 2026, TLT yields 4.35% (dividend yield) and VGLT yields 4.00% (dividend yield).
- TLT's expense ratio is 0.15% and VGLT's is 0.03%: $15 vs $3 a year on $10,000.
- From Nov 2009 to Oct 2026, $10,000 in TLT grew to $13,991 (2.0% a year) and $10,000 in VGLT to $14,461 (2.2% a year), distributions reinvested.
- Their worst month-end drops over that time: -47.6% for TLT and -45.3% for VGLT.
Cite this page
SmarterDividends, "TLT vs VGLT: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared," updated Nov 5, 2026, https://smarterdividends.com/compare/tlt-vs-vglt
$10,000 in each, Nov 2009 to Oct 2026
Distributions reinvested, month-end values, with the S&P 500 for reference.
TLT became
$13,991
2.0% a year
VGLT became
$14,461
2.2% a year
Year by year
| Year | TLT | VGLT |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | +4.3% | +5.4% |
| 2024 | −8.1% | −6.3% |
| 2023 | +2.8% | +3.3% |
| 2022 | −31.2% | −29.3% |
| 2021 | −4.6% | −5.0% |
| 2020 | +18.2% | +17.6% |
| 2019 | +14.1% | +14.3% |
| 2018 | −1.6% | −1.5% |
| 2017 | +9.2% | +8.7% |
| 2016 | +1.2% | +1.2% |
| 2015 | −1.8% | −1.0% |
| 2014 | +27.3% | +25.2% |
| 2013 | −13.4% | −12.5% |
| 2012 | +2.6% | +3.3% |
| 2011 | +34.0% | +29.2% |
| 2010 | +9.0% | +9.0% |
Total return each calendar year, distributions reinvested.
TLT vs VGLT: questions
Is TLT or VGLT better?
It depends on the job. TLT pays more today (4.35% vs 4.00%), VGLT costs less, and VGLT has the better total return over Nov 2009 to Oct 2026, with VGLT 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, TLT or VGLT?
TLT, at 4.35% against 4.00% for VGLT as of Nov 5, 2026. On $10,000 that's about $435 vs $400 a year at today's rates.
Which has the better total return?
VGLT. From Nov 2009 to Oct 2026, it returned 2.2% a year with distributions reinvested, against 2.0% for TLT. $10,000 became $14,461 vs $13,991.
Which is cheaper, TLT or VGLT?
VGLT, with a 0.03% expense ratio against 0.15%.
Related comparisons
Yields, costs and holdings as each fund reports them (via Yahoo Finance), updated daily; returns from month-end prices with distributions reinvested. VGLT leads on 7 of 8 measures above. For information only, not investment advice. Last fund data: Nov 5, 2026.