PRSMX vs. PRTAX

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

PRSMX (T. Rowe Price Summit Municipal Intermediate Fund) and PRTAX (T. Rowe Price Tax Free Income Fund) are both Municipal Bonds funds from T. Rowe Price. Over the past 10 years, PRSMX returned 1.83%/yr vs 2.78%/yr for PRTAX. Their correlation of 0.87 suggests significant overlap in exposure. PRSMX charges 0.50%/yr vs 0.53%/yr for PRTAX.

Performance

PRSMX vs. PRTAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in T. Rowe Price Summit Municipal Intermediate Fund (PRSMX) and T. Rowe Price Tax Free Income Fund (PRTAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PRSMX achieves a 1.24% return, which is significantly lower than PRTAX's 2.33% return. Over the past 10 years, PRSMX has underperformed PRTAX with an annualized return of 1.83%, while PRTAX has yielded a comparatively higher 2.78% annualized return.

PRSMX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.36%
• YTD: 1.24%
• 6M: 1.71%
• 1Y: 6.72%
• 3Y*: 3.42%
• 5Y*: 0.78%
• 10Y*: 1.83%

PRTAX

• 1D: -0.11%
• 1M: 0.86%
• YTD: 2.33%
• 6M: 2.70%
• 1Y: 8.61%
• 3Y*: 5.96%
• 5Y*: 2.17%
• 10Y*: 2.78%

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

PRSMX vs. PRTAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PRSMX T. Rowe Price Summit Municipal Intermediate Fund	1.24%	5.01%	0.87%	5.02%	-8.09%	1.49%	4.47%	6.51%	0.80%	4.20%
PRTAX T. Rowe Price Tax Free Income Fund	2.33%	4.45%	5.18%	9.82%	-10.81%	2.85%	4.87%	7.25%	0.70%	5.17%

Correlation

The correlation between PRSMX and PRTAX 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	0.87
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.89
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.87
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 4, 1994	0.87

The correlation between PRSMX and PRTAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.82 to 0.89 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

PRSMX vs. PRTAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

PRSMX

PRSMX Risk / Return Rank: 73
PRSMX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 91
PRSMX Sortino Ratio Rank: 93
PRSMX Omega Ratio Rank: 96
PRSMX Calmar Ratio Rank: 45
PRSMX Martin Ratio Rank: 41

PRTAX

PRTAX Risk / Return Rank: 74
PRTAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 84
PRTAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 90
PRTAX Omega Ratio Rank: 92
PRTAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 54
PRTAX Martin Ratio Rank: 48

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.

PRSMX vs. PRTAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for T. Rowe Price Summit Municipal Intermediate Fund (PRSMX) and T. Rowe Price Tax Free Income Fund (PRTAX). 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.

	PRSMX	PRTAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	3.05	2.73	+0.33
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	4.76	4.37	+0.38
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.83	1.68	+0.15
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.57	2.83	-0.26
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	8.83	10.13	-1.30
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PRSMX vs. PRTAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PRSMX Sharpe Ratio is 3.05, which is comparable to the PRTAX Sharpe Ratio of 2.73. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PRSMX and PRTAX, 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

	PRSMX	PRTAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.05	2.73	+0.33
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.25	0.50	-0.25
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.57	0.66	-0.09
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.34	0.90	+0.44

Drawdowns

PRSMX vs. PRTAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PRSMX drawdown since its inception was -12.30%, smaller than the maximum PRTAX drawdown of -20.97%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PRSMX and PRTAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PRSMX	PRTAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-12.30%	-20.97%	+8.67%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.66%	-2.83%	+0.17%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-4.23%	-5.67%	+1.44%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-12.30%	-15.68%	+3.38%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-12.30%	-15.68%	+3.38%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.83%	-0.11%	-0.72%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.46%	-3.24%	+1.78%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.77%	0.79%	-0.02%

Volatility

PRSMX vs. PRTAX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for T. Rowe Price Summit Municipal Intermediate Fund (PRSMX) is 0.86%, while T. Rowe Price Tax Free Income Fund (PRTAX) has a volatility of 1.31%. This indicates that PRSMX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than PRTAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PRSMX	PRTAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.86%	1.31%	-0.45%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	1.75%	2.29%	-0.54%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.24%	3.12%	-0.88%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	3.13%	4.40%	-1.27%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	3.26%	4.23%	-0.97%

PRSMX vs. PRTAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PRSMX has a 0.50% expense ratio, which is lower than PRTAX's 0.53% expense ratio.

Dividends

PRSMX vs. PRTAX - Dividend Comparison

PRSMX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.20%, less than PRTAX's 4.09% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PRSMX T. Rowe Price Summit Municipal Intermediate Fund	3.20%	3.16%	2.37%	2.02%	1.75%	2.05%	2.30%	2.42%	2.49%	2.49%	2.71%	2.62%
PRTAX T. Rowe Price Tax Free Income Fund	4.09%	4.61%	5.90%	5.55%	2.20%	2.42%	2.85%	3.28%	3.61%	3.63%	3.80%	3.78%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PRSMX and PRTAX in my portfolio?

PRSMX and PRTAX 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, PRSMX or PRTAX?

PRTAX has higher volatility (1.31%) compared to PRSMX (0.86%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PRSMX dropped -12.30% vs PRTAX's -20.97%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PRSMX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.05 vs 2.73), 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.