The Best REIT ETFs
The table below compares the performance and other essential indicators like dividend yield and expense ratio of REIT ETFs.
REIT ETFs are exchange-traded funds that invest in real estate investment trusts (REITs). REITs are companies that own and manage income-producing real estate properties, such as office buildings, apartments, shopping centers, and warehouses. These companies are required to distribute at least 90% of their taxable income to shareholders as dividends, making REITs a popular investment vehicle for generating revenue.
REIT ETFs provide investors with a way to gain exposure to the real estate market without purchasing individual REIT stocks or properties. In addition, they can offer diversification benefits, as the performance of REITs may not be closely correlated with the overall stock market. Finally, REIT ETFs offer liquidity, transparency, and lower management costs compared to traditional real estate investments.
- Number of ETFs
- 70
- Avg. Expense Ratio
- 0.50%
- Avg. Dividend Yield
- 4.11%
- Avg. 1 Year Return
- 14.12%
- Median Risk/Return Score
- 37 / 100
The Best REIT ETFs
5 results
| Symbol | Full Name | Category | Inception | Expense Ratio | YTD Return | 10Y Return (Annualized) | Dividend Yield | Risk / Return Rank | Max. Drawdown | Sharpe Ratio | Sortino Ratio | Omega Ratio | Martin Ratio | Calmar Ratio | Ulcer Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| State Street SPDR Dow Jones Global Real Estate ESG... | REIT | Nov 1, 2013 | 0.20% | 6.95% | 3.56% | 2.69% | 25 | ||||||||
| VanEck Australian Property ETF | REIT | Oct 14, 2013 | — | -10.89% | 3.94% | 3.45% | 8 | ||||||||
| VanEck FTSE International Property (AUD Hedged) ET... | REIT | Mar 21, 2019 | — | 11.07% | — | 3.31% | 36 | ||||||||
| SPDR ETFs Australia - State Street SPDR S&P/ASX 20... | REIT | Feb 15, 2002 | — | -7.90% | 7.08% | 4.96% | 6 | ||||||||
| Vanguard Australian Property Securities Index ETF | REIT | Oct 11, 2010 | — | -8.02% | 6.49% | 2.50% | 6 |
Best REIT ETFs by Risk/Return Score
The top REIT ETFs by PortfoliosLab Risk/Return Score are VRAI (86) and DTCR (80).
The score measures risk-adjusted performance over the past year, accounting for volatility, drawdown, and return consistency.
| Symbol | Name | Risk / Return Rank | AUM | Inception |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virtus Real Asset Income ETF | 86 | 18.07M | Feb 2019 | |
| Global X Data Center & Digital Infrastructure ETF | 80 | 2.25B | Oct 2020 | |
| Invesco KBW Premium Yield Equity REIT ETF | 64 | 314.47M | Dec 2010 | |
| SPDR Dow Jones REIT ETF | 63 | 1.83B | Apr 2001 | |
| iShares Core U.S. REIT ETF | 62 | 4.51B | May 2007 |
Best-Performing REIT ETFs Over 5 Years
The top REIT ETFs is DTCR (12.03%).
Across the lineup, REIT ETFs show an average 1-year return of 14.12% and an average 5-year return of 1.01%, providing a clearer view of performance across different investment horizons.
| Symbol | Name | Return 5Y | AUM | Inception |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Global X Data Center & Digital Infrastructure ETF | 12.03% | 2.25B | Oct 2020 | |
| Virtus Real Asset Income ETF | 6.36% | 18.07M | Feb 2019 | |
| iShares Core U.S. REIT ETF | 5.09% | 4.51B | May 2007 | |
| JPMorgan BetaBuilders MSCI US REIT ETF | 4.85% | 1.24B | Jun 2018 | |
| First Trust S&P REIT Index Fund | 4.79% | 187.94M | May 2007 |
Lowest-Cost REIT ETFs
The top REIT ETFs is SCHH (0.07%).
With an average expense ratio of 0.50%, REIT ETFs remain a low-cost option for investors seeking broad market exposure, sector allocations, and diversified portfolio building blocks.
| Symbol | Name | Expense Ratio | AUM | Inception |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Schwab US REIT ETF | 0.07% | 11.27B | Jan 2011 | |
| iShares Core U.S. REIT ETF | 0.08% | 4.51B | May 2007 | |
| Fidelity MSCI Real Estate Index ETF | 0.08% | 1.45B | Feb 2015 | |
| Xtrackers International Real Estate ETF | 0.10% | 1.04B | Oct 2013 | |
| JPMorgan BetaBuilders MSCI US REIT ETF | 0.11% | 1.24B | Jun 2018 |
Highest-Yield REIT ETFs
The top REIT ETFs is MVRL (19.82%).
Across the lineup, REIT ETFs show an average dividend yield of 4.11%, offering investors a steady stream of income through regular dividend payments, making them attractive for income-seeking portfolios.
| Symbol | Name | Dividend Yield | AUM | Inception |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ETRACS Monthly Pay 1.5x Leveraged Mortgage REIT ET... | 19.82% | 13.17M | Jun 2020 | |
| VanEck Mortgage REIT Income ETF | 14.76% | 375.91M | Aug 2011 | |
| State Street Real Estate Select Sector SPDR Premiu... | 13.76% | 2.58M | Jul 2025 | |
| NEOS Real Estate High Income ETF | 10.94% | 292.13M | Jan 2025 | |
| Hoya Capital High Dividend Yield ETF | 9.59% | 105.79M | Sep 2021 |
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Top ETFs Comparisons
Compare the top ETFs symbols based on PortfoliosLab usage data.
Risk vs. Return Scatterplot
The Risk vs. Return Scatterplot allows you to quickly compare funds, stocks, and ETFs in one view. It displays the yearly return of an instrument on one axis and the risk (volatility) on the other.
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5 Years