PRNYX vs. VMATX

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

PRNYX (T. Rowe Price New York Tax Free Bond Fund) and VMATX (Vanguard Massachusetts Tax-Exempt Fund) are both Municipal Bonds funds. Over the past 10 years, PRNYX returned 2.27%/yr vs 2.45%/yr for VMATX. Their correlation of 0.89 suggests significant overlap in exposure. PRNYX charges 0.53%/yr vs 0.13%/yr for VMATX.

Performance

PRNYX vs. VMATX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in T. Rowe Price New York Tax Free Bond Fund (PRNYX) and Vanguard Massachusetts Tax-Exempt Fund (VMATX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PRNYX achieves a 2.37% return, which is significantly higher than VMATX's 1.83% return. Over the past 10 years, PRNYX has underperformed VMATX with an annualized return of 2.27%, while VMATX has yielded a comparatively higher 2.45% annualized return.

PRNYX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.96%
• YTD: 2.37%
• 6M: 3.13%
• 1Y: 9.86%
• 3Y*: 4.91%
• 5Y*: 1.44%
• 10Y*: 2.27%

VMATX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.80%
• YTD: 1.83%
• 6M: 2.34%
• 1Y: 8.31%
• 3Y*: 4.64%
• 5Y*: 1.09%
• 10Y*: 2.45%

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

PRNYX vs. VMATX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PRNYX T. Rowe Price New York Tax Free Bond Fund	2.37%	4.53%	3.35%	8.08%	-11.19%	3.27%	4.08%	6.59%	0.80%	4.69%
VMATX Vanguard Massachusetts Tax-Exempt Fund	1.83%	4.96%	2.53%	7.19%	-10.79%	1.65%	6.47%	8.93%	0.47%	6.02%

Correlation

The correlation between PRNYX and VMATX is 0.82, 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	0.82
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.88
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.90
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.89
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 10, 1998	0.89

The correlation between PRNYX and VMATX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.82 to 0.90 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

PRNYX vs. VMATX — Risk / Return Rank

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

PRNYX

PRNYX Risk / Return Rank: 84
PRNYX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 92
PRNYX Sortino Ratio Rank: 94
PRNYX Omega Ratio Rank: 95
PRNYX Calmar Ratio Rank: 77
PRNYX Martin Ratio Rank: 63

VMATX

VMATX Risk / Return Rank: 71
VMATX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 84
VMATX Sortino Ratio Rank: 87
VMATX Omega Ratio Rank: 91
VMATX Calmar Ratio Rank: 48
VMATX Martin Ratio Rank: 45

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.

PRNYX vs. VMATX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for T. Rowe Price New York Tax Free Bond Fund (PRNYX) and Vanguard Massachusetts Tax-Exempt Fund (VMATX). 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.

	PRNYX	VMATX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.08	2.74	+0.34
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.88	4.26	+0.61
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.78	1.68	+0.10
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.38	2.63	+0.75
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.94	9.35	+2.59
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PRNYX vs. VMATX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PRNYX Sharpe Ratio is 3.08, which is comparable to the VMATX Sharpe Ratio of 2.74. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PRNYX and VMATX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	PRNYX	VMATX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.08	2.74	+0.34
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.32	0.23	+0.08
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.54	0.53	+0.01
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.07	1.00	+0.07

Drawdowns

PRNYX vs. VMATX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PRNYX drawdown since its inception was -19.17%, which is greater than VMATX's maximum drawdown of -15.91%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PRNYX and VMATX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PRNYX	VMATX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-19.17%	-15.91%	-3.26%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.02%	-3.30%	+0.28%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-7.11%	-6.68%	-0.43%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-16.01%	-15.91%	-0.10%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-16.01%	-15.91%	-0.10%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-0.44%	+0.44%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.39%	-2.10%	-0.29%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.85%	0.93%	-0.08%

Volatility

PRNYX vs. VMATX - Volatility Comparison

T. Rowe Price New York Tax Free Bond Fund (PRNYX) has a higher volatility of 1.32% compared to Vanguard Massachusetts Tax-Exempt Fund (VMATX) at 1.19%. This indicates that PRNYX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VMATX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PRNYX	VMATX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.32%	1.19%	+0.13%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.47%	2.41%	+0.06%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.33%	3.17%	+0.16%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	4.58%	4.66%	-0.08%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.20%	4.65%	-0.45%

PRNYX vs. VMATX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PRNYX has a 0.53% expense ratio, which is higher than VMATX's 0.13% expense ratio.

Dividends

PRNYX vs. VMATX - Dividend Comparison

PRNYX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.76%, more than VMATX's 3.61% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PRNYX T. Rowe Price New York Tax Free Bond Fund	4.76%	4.72%	4.32%	3.33%	2.15%	2.46%	2.86%	2.90%	3.24%	3.19%	3.34%	3.43%
VMATX Vanguard Massachusetts Tax-Exempt Fund	3.61%	4.46%	3.98%	3.06%	2.69%	2.26%	3.22%	3.63%	3.07%	2.91%	3.55%	3.22%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PRNYX and VMATX in my portfolio?

PRNYX and VMATX have a correlation of 0.82, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PRNYX or VMATX?

PRNYX has higher volatility (1.32%) compared to VMATX (1.19%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PRNYX dropped -19.17% vs VMATX's -15.91%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PRNYX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.08 vs 2.74), 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.