PRTAX vs. VWAHX

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

PRTAX (T. Rowe Price Tax Free Income Fund) and VWAHX (Vanguard High-Yield Tax-Exempt Fund Investor Shares) are both Municipal Bonds funds. Over the past 10 years, PRTAX returned 2.78%/yr vs 3.04%/yr for VWAHX. Their correlation of 0.83 suggests significant overlap in exposure. PRTAX charges 0.53%/yr vs 0.17%/yr for VWAHX.

Performance

PRTAX vs. VWAHX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in T. Rowe Price Tax Free Income Fund (PRTAX) and Vanguard High-Yield Tax-Exempt Fund Investor Shares (VWAHX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PRTAX achieves a 2.33% return, which is significantly higher than VWAHX's 2.11% return. Over the past 10 years, PRTAX has underperformed VWAHX with an annualized return of 2.78%, while VWAHX has yielded a comparatively higher 3.04% annualized return.

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%

VWAHX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.72%
• YTD: 2.11%
• 6M: 2.45%
• 1Y: 8.57%
• 3Y*: 5.40%
• 5Y*: 1.54%
• 10Y*: 3.04%

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

PRTAX vs. VWAHX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
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%
VWAHX Vanguard High-Yield Tax-Exempt Fund Investor Shares	2.11%	4.96%	3.98%	8.39%	-11.76%	3.36%	5.39%	9.48%	1.31%	7.86%

Correlation

The correlation between PRTAX and VWAHX is 0.78, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.78
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.85
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.89
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.88
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 1, 1980	0.83

The correlation between PRTAX and VWAHX shifts across timeframes, from 0.78 (1 year) to 0.89 (5 years), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

PRTAX vs. VWAHX — Risk / Return Rank

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

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

VWAHX

VWAHX Risk / Return Rank: 70
VWAHX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 77
VWAHX Sortino Ratio Rank: 86
VWAHX Omega Ratio Rank: 90
VWAHX Calmar Ratio Rank: 51
VWAHX 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.

PRTAX vs. VWAHX - 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 High-Yield Tax-Exempt Fund Investor Shares (VWAHX). 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	VWAHX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.73	2.55	+0.18
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	4.37	4.12	+0.26
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.68	1.65	+0.03
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.83	2.76	+0.07
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	10.13	10.03	+0.09
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PRTAX vs. VWAHX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PRTAX Sharpe Ratio is 2.73, which is comparable to the VWAHX Sharpe Ratio of 2.55. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PRTAX and VWAHX, 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

	PRTAX	VWAHX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.73	2.55	+0.18
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.50	0.32	+0.18
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.66	0.66	0.00
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.90	0.64	+0.26

Drawdowns

PRTAX vs. VWAHX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PRTAX drawdown since its inception was -20.97%, smaller than the maximum VWAHX drawdown of -40.26%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PRTAX and VWAHX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PRTAX	VWAHX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-20.97%	-40.26%	+19.29%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.83%	-3.05%	+0.22%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-5.67%	-7.12%	+1.45%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-15.68%	-17.32%	+1.64%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-15.68%	-17.32%	+1.64%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.11%	-0.17%	+0.06%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.24%	-6.93%	+3.69%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.79%	0.84%	-0.05%

Volatility

PRTAX vs. VWAHX - Volatility Comparison

T. Rowe Price Tax Free Income Fund (PRTAX) and Vanguard High-Yield Tax-Exempt Fund Investor Shares (VWAHX) have volatilities of 1.31% and 1.26%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PRTAX	VWAHX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.31%	1.26%	+0.05%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.29%	2.42%	-0.13%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.12%	3.26%	-0.14%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	4.40%	4.80%	-0.40%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.23%	4.64%	-0.41%

PRTAX vs. VWAHX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PRTAX has a 0.53% expense ratio, which is higher than VWAHX's 0.17% expense ratio.

Dividends

PRTAX vs. VWAHX - Dividend Comparison

PRTAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.09%, which matches VWAHX's 4.06% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
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%
VWAHX Vanguard High-Yield Tax-Exempt Fund Investor Shares	4.06%	4.95%	4.38%	3.53%	3.36%	2.98%	3.31%	3.94%	3.78%	3.68%	3.75%	3.67%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PRTAX and VWAHX in my portfolio?

PRTAX and VWAHX have a correlation of 0.78, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PRTAX or VWAHX?

PRTAX has higher volatility (1.31%) compared to VWAHX (1.26%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PRTAX dropped -20.97% vs VWAHX's -40.26%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PRTAX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.73 vs 2.55), 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.