PRTAX vs. VTEB
Compare and contrast key facts about T. Rowe Price Tax Free Income Fund (PRTAX) and Vanguard Tax-Exempt Bond ETF (VTEB).
PRTAX is managed by T. Rowe Price. It was launched on Oct 25, 1976. VTEB is a passively managed fund by Vanguard that tracks the performance of the S&P National AMT-Free Municipal Bond Index. It was launched on Aug 21, 2015.
Performance
PRTAX vs. VTEB - Performance Comparison
Loading graphics...
PRTAX vs. VTEB - Yearly Performance Comparison
| 2026 (YTD) | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
PRTAX T. Rowe Price Tax Free Income Fund | 0.14% | 4.45% | 5.18% | 9.82% | -10.81% | 2.85% | 4.87% | 7.25% | 0.70% | 5.17% |
VTEB Vanguard Tax-Exempt Bond ETF | 0.09% | 3.72% | 1.31% | 6.15% | -7.99% | 1.14% | 5.19% | 7.35% | 1.04% | 4.87% |
Returns By Period
In the year-to-date period, PRTAX achieves a 0.14% return, which is significantly higher than VTEB's 0.09% return. Over the past 10 years, PRTAX has outperformed VTEB with an annualized return of 2.69%, while VTEB has yielded a comparatively lower 2.09% annualized return.
PRTAX
- 1D
- 0.32%
- 1M
- -2.10%
- YTD
- 0.14%
- 6M
- 1.56%
- 1Y
- 3.98%
- 3Y*
- 5.33%
- 5Y*
- 2.09%
- 10Y*
- 2.69%
VTEB
- 1D
- 0.32%
- 1M
- -1.61%
- YTD
- 0.09%
- 6M
- 1.54%
- 1Y
- 3.92%
- 3Y*
- 2.78%
- 5Y*
- 0.88%
- 10Y*
- 2.09%
Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs
Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.
PRTAX vs. VTEB - Expense Ratio Comparison
PRTAX has a 0.53% expense ratio, which is higher than VTEB's 0.05% expense ratio.
Return for Risk
PRTAX vs. VTEB — Risk / Return Rank
PRTAX
VTEB
PRTAX vs. VTEB - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison
This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for T. Rowe Price Tax Free Income Fund (PRTAX) and Vanguard Tax-Exempt Bond ETF (VTEB). 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.
| PRTAX | VTEB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | 0.83 | 0.99 | -0.16 |
Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | 1.12 | 1.25 | -0.12 |
Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.22 | 1.23 | 0.00 |
Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 0.78 | 1.25 | -0.47 |
Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 2.28 | 3.69 | -1.41 |
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month. | |||
Loading graphics...
Sharpe Ratios by Period
| PRTAX | VTEB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 0.83 | 0.99 | -0.16 |
Sharpe Ratio (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period | 0.48 | 0.23 | +0.26 |
Sharpe Ratio (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period | 0.64 | 0.40 | +0.24 |
Sharpe Ratio (All Time)Calculated using the full available price history | 0.89 | 0.45 | +0.44 |
Correlation
The correlation between PRTAX and VTEB is 0.66, which is considered to be moderate. This suggests that the two assets have some degree of positive relationship in their price movements. Moderate correlation can be acceptable for portfolio diversification, offering a balance between risk and potential returns.
Dividends
PRTAX vs. VTEB - Dividend Comparison
PRTAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.78%, more than VTEB's 3.37% yield.
| TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
PRTAX T. Rowe Price Tax Free Income Fund | 3.78% | 4.61% | 5.90% | 5.55% | 2.20% | 2.42% | 2.85% | 3.28% | 3.61% | 3.63% | 3.80% | 3.78% |
VTEB Vanguard Tax-Exempt Bond ETF | 3.37% | 3.29% | 3.14% | 2.79% | 2.09% | 1.64% | 1.99% | 2.30% | 2.25% | 1.96% | 1.66% | 0.58% |
Drawdowns
PRTAX vs. VTEB - Drawdown Comparison
The maximum PRTAX drawdown since its inception was -20.97%, which is greater than VTEB's maximum drawdown of -17.00%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PRTAX and VTEB.
Loading graphics...
Drawdown Indicators
| PRTAX | VTEB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -20.97% | -17.00% | -3.97% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -5.33% | -3.45% | -1.88% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -15.68% | -12.64% | -3.04% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -15.68% | -17.00% | +1.32% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -2.31% | -1.86% | -0.45% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -3.25% | -2.35% | -0.90% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.82% | 1.17% | +0.65% |
Volatility
PRTAX vs. VTEB - Volatility Comparison
The current volatility for T. Rowe Price Tax Free Income Fund (PRTAX) is 1.22%, while Vanguard Tax-Exempt Bond ETF (VTEB) has a volatility of 1.37%. This indicates that PRTAX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VTEB based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.
Loading graphics...
Volatility by Period
| PRTAX | VTEB | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Volatility (1M)Calculated over the trailing 1-month period | 1.22% | 1.37% | -0.15% |
Volatility (6M)Calculated over the trailing 6-month period | 1.92% | 1.87% | +0.05% |
Volatility (1Y)Calculated over the trailing 1-year period | 5.55% | 4.00% | +1.55% |
Volatility (5Y)Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized | 4.36% | 3.88% | +0.48% |
Volatility (10Y)Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized | 4.21% | 5.25% | -1.04% |