EKVAX vs. VPAIX

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

EKVAX (Allspring Pennsylvania Tax-Free Fund) and VPAIX (Vanguard Pennsylvania Long-Term Tax-Exempt Fund Investor Shares) are both Municipal Bonds funds. Over the past 10 years, EKVAX returned 1.82%/yr vs 2.66%/yr for VPAIX. Their correlation of 0.87 suggests significant overlap in exposure. EKVAX charges 0.74%/yr vs 0.17%/yr for VPAIX.

Performance

EKVAX vs. VPAIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Allspring Pennsylvania Tax-Free Fund (EKVAX) and Vanguard Pennsylvania Long-Term Tax-Exempt Fund Investor Shares (VPAIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with EKVAX having a 1.81% return and VPAIX slightly higher at 1.83%. Over the past 10 years, EKVAX has underperformed VPAIX with an annualized return of 1.82%, while VPAIX has yielded a comparatively higher 2.66% annualized return.

EKVAX

• 1D: 0.09%
• 1M: 1.30%
• YTD: 1.81%
• 6M: 2.18%
• 1Y: 6.55%
• 3Y*: 3.63%
• 5Y*: 0.69%
• 10Y*: 1.82%

VPAIX

• 1D: 0.09%
• 1M: 1.81%
• YTD: 1.83%
• 6M: 2.24%
• 1Y: 8.27%
• 3Y*: 4.75%
• 5Y*: 1.30%
• 10Y*: 2.66%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

EKVAX vs. VPAIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
EKVAX Allspring Pennsylvania Tax-Free Fund	1.81%	3.18%	2.70%	5.04%	-9.21%	2.15%	3.64%	6.85%	1.26%	5.00%
VPAIX Vanguard Pennsylvania Long-Term Tax-Exempt Fund Investor Shares	1.83%	5.27%	2.59%	7.25%	-10.20%	1.97%	5.86%	9.05%	1.11%	6.61%

Correlation

The correlation between EKVAX and VPAIX is 0.85, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.85
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.89
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.91
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.89
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 27, 1990	0.87

The correlation between EKVAX and VPAIX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.85 to 0.91 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

EKVAX vs. VPAIX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

EKVAX

EKVAX Risk / Return Rank: 78
EKVAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 89
EKVAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 92
EKVAX Omega Ratio Rank: 93
EKVAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 60
EKVAX Martin Ratio Rank: 55

VPAIX

VPAIX Risk / Return Rank: 76
VPAIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 90
VPAIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 93
VPAIX Omega Ratio Rank: 94
VPAIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 54
VPAIX Martin Ratio Rank: 49

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

EKVAX vs. VPAIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Allspring Pennsylvania Tax-Free Fund (EKVAX) and Vanguard Pennsylvania Long-Term Tax-Exempt Fund Investor Shares (VPAIX). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	EKVAX	VPAIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.70	2.77	-0.07
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.26	4.45	-0.19
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.68	1.71	-0.04
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.85	2.68	+0.17
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	10.45	9.57	+0.89

EKVAX vs. VPAIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current EKVAX Sharpe Ratio is 2.70, which is comparable to the VPAIX Sharpe Ratio of 2.77. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of EKVAX and VPAIX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

EKVAX vs. VPAIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum EKVAX drawdown since its inception was -13.30%, smaller than the maximum VPAIX drawdown of -19.51%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EKVAX and VPAIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	EKVAX	VPAIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-13.30%	-19.51%	+6.21%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.31%	-3.10%	+0.79%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-5.39%	-7.01%	+1.62%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-13.30%	-15.76%	+2.46%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-13.30%	-15.76%	+2.46%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.17%	+0.17%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.76%	-2.15%	+0.39%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.63%	0.87%	-0.24%

Volatility

EKVAX vs. VPAIX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Allspring Pennsylvania Tax-Free Fund (EKVAX) is 0.61%, while Vanguard Pennsylvania Long-Term Tax-Exempt Fund Investor Shares (VPAIX) has a volatility of 0.86%. This indicates that EKVAX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VPAIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	EKVAX	VPAIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.61%	0.86%	-0.25%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.78%	2.30%	-0.52%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.44%	3.00%	-0.56%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	3.57%	4.49%	-0.92%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	3.44%	4.41%	-0.97%

EKVAX vs. VPAIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

EKVAX has a 0.74% expense ratio, which is higher than VPAIX's 0.17% expense ratio.

Dividends

EKVAX vs. VPAIX - Dividend Comparison

EKVAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.18%, less than VPAIX's 3.65% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
EKVAX Allspring Pennsylvania Tax-Free Fund	3.18%	3.18%	3.03%	2.70%	2.55%	2.38%	2.70%	3.33%	3.32%	3.13%	3.11%	3.41%
VPAIX Vanguard Pennsylvania Long-Term Tax-Exempt Fund Investor Shares	3.65%	4.48%	4.04%	3.25%	3.12%	2.45%	3.16%	3.70%	3.91%	3.93%	4.10%	3.92%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both EKVAX and VPAIX in my portfolio?

EKVAX and VPAIX have a correlation of 0.85, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, EKVAX or VPAIX?

VPAIX has higher volatility (0.86%) compared to EKVAX (0.61%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EKVAX dropped -13.30% vs VPAIX's -19.51%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VPAIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.77 vs 2.70), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.