VTI vs VTSAX: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared
As of Nov 5, 2026, VTI yields more: 1.08% (dividend yield) against 0.79% for VTSAX. VTI is cheaper to own at 0.03% a year vs 0.04%. Over the same 18 years (Dec 2007 to Oct 2026), VTI returned 11.0% a year with distributions reinvested, and VTSAX 11.0%.
VTIVanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF1.08%dividend yield| Compared | VTI | VTSAX |
|---|---|---|
| YieldDividend yield | 1.08% | 0.79% |
| Expense ratio | 0.03% | 0.04% |
| Total return, 1 yr | +12.0% | +11.8% |
| Total return, 3 yr (a year) | +23.1% | +23.0% |
| Total return, 5 yr (a year) | +10.9% | +10.9% |
| Total return, 10 yr (a year) | +14.9% | +14.8% |
| Worst drop since Dec 2007 | -48.2% | -48.2% |
| Share price since Dec 2007 | +412% | +411% |
| Pays | Quarterly | Quarterly |
| Issuer | Vanguard | Vanguard |
| Assets | $2.3T | $2.3T |
| Started | 2001 | 2001 |
| Type | Large Blend | Large Blend |
Higher yield
VTI
1.08%
Lower cost
VTI
0.03%
Better total return
VTI
11.0%/yr
Smaller worst drop
VTI
-48.2%
Key facts: VTI vs VTSAX
Data as of · Source: SmarterDividends data
- As of Nov 5, 2026, VTI yields 1.08% (dividend yield) and VTSAX yields 0.79% (dividend yield).
- VTI's expense ratio is 0.03% and VTSAX's is 0.04%: $3 vs $4 a year on $10,000.
- From Dec 2007 to Oct 2026, $10,000 in VTI grew to $71,593 (11.0% a year) and $10,000 in VTSAX to $71,238 (11.0% a year), distributions reinvested.
- Their worst month-end drops over that time: -48.2% for VTI and -48.2% for VTSAX.
- 10 of VTI's top ten holdings are also in VTSAX's top ten, an overlap of at least 35% of the fund.
Cite this page
SmarterDividends, "VTI vs VTSAX: Yield, Cost and Returns Compared," updated Nov 5, 2026, https://smarterdividends.com/compare/vti-vs-vtsax
$10,000 in each, Dec 2007 to Oct 2026
Distributions reinvested, month-end values, with the S&P 500 for reference.
VTI became
$71,593
11.0% a year
VTSAX became
$71,238
11.0% a year
Year by year
| Year | VTI | VTSAX |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | +17.1% | +17.1% |
| 2024 | +23.8% | +23.7% |
| 2023 | +26.0% | +26.0% |
| 2022 | −19.5% | −19.5% |
| 2021 | +25.7% | +25.7% |
| 2020 | +21.1% | +21.0% |
| 2019 | +30.7% | +30.8% |
| 2018 | −5.2% | −5.2% |
| 2017 | +21.2% | +21.2% |
| 2016 | +12.8% | +12.7% |
| 2015 | +0.4% | +0.4% |
| 2014 | +12.5% | +12.6% |
| 2013 | +33.4% | +33.5% |
| 2012 | +16.4% | +16.4% |
| 2011 | +1.0% | +1.1% |
| 2010 | +17.4% | +17.3% |
| 2009 | +28.9% | +28.8% |
| 2008 | −37.0% | −37.0% |
Total return each calendar year, distributions reinvested.
Top holdings
10 of the top ten overlap, at least 35% of each fund.
VTI
- NVDA NVIDIA Corp7.1%
- AAPL Apple Inc6.6%
- MSFT Microsoft Corp5.2%
- AMZN Amazon.com Inc3.3%
- GOOGL Alphabet Inc Class A2.8%
- AVGO Broadcom Inc2.3%
- META Meta Platforms Inc Class A2.2%
- GOOG Alphabet Inc Class C2.2%
- MU Micron Technology Inc1.6%
- TSLA Tesla Inc1.4%
VTSAX
- NVDA NVIDIA Corp7.1%
- AAPL Apple Inc6.6%
- MSFT Microsoft Corp5.2%
- AMZN Amazon.com Inc3.3%
- GOOGL Alphabet Inc Class A2.8%
- AVGO Broadcom Inc2.3%
- META Meta Platforms Inc Class A2.2%
- GOOG Alphabet Inc Class C2.2%
- MU Micron Technology Inc1.6%
- TSLA Tesla Inc1.4%
VTI vs VTSAX: questions
Is VTI or VTSAX better?
It depends on the job. VTI pays more today (1.08% vs 0.79%), VTI costs less, and VTI has the better total return over Dec 2007 to Oct 2026, with VTI 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, VTI or VTSAX?
VTI, at 1.08% against 0.79% for VTSAX as of Nov 5, 2026. On $10,000 that's about $108 vs $79 a year at today's rates.
Which has the better total return?
VTI. From Dec 2007 to Oct 2026, it returned 11.0% a year with distributions reinvested, against 11.0% for VTSAX. $10,000 became $71,593 vs $71,238.
Which is cheaper, VTI or VTSAX?
VTI, with a 0.03% expense ratio against 0.04%.
Do VTI and VTSAX hold the same things?
Partly. 10 of their top ten holdings match (NVDA, AAPL, MSFT, AMZN), at least 35% 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. VTI leads on 8 of 8 measures above. For information only, not investment advice. Last fund data: Nov 5, 2026.