PRXCX vs. VSBIX

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

PRXCX (T. Rowe Price California Tax Free Bond Fund) and VSBIX (Vanguard Short-Term Treasury Index Fund Institutional Shares) are both mutual funds - PRXCX is a Municipal Bonds fund managed by T. Rowe Price, while VSBIX is a Government Bonds fund managed by Vanguard. Over the past 10 years, PRXCX returned 2.35%/yr vs 1.77%/yr for VSBIX. At a 0.37 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. PRXCX charges 0.53%/yr vs 0.05%/yr for VSBIX.

Performance

PRXCX vs. VSBIX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in T. Rowe Price California Tax Free Bond Fund (PRXCX) and Vanguard Short-Term Treasury Index Fund Institutional Shares (VSBIX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PRXCX achieves a 2.04% return, which is significantly higher than VSBIX's 0.52% return. Over the past 10 years, PRXCX has outperformed VSBIX with an annualized return of 2.35%, while VSBIX has yielded a comparatively lower 1.77% annualized return.

PRXCX

• 1D: -0.09%
• 1M: 0.88%
• YTD: 2.04%
• 6M: 2.59%
• 1Y: 9.18%
• 3Y*: 4.80%
• 5Y*: 1.48%
• 10Y*: 2.35%

VSBIX

• 1D: -0.05%
• 1M: 0.03%
• YTD: 0.52%
• 6M: 0.85%
• 1Y: 3.44%
• 3Y*: 4.29%
• 5Y*: 1.88%
• 10Y*: 1.77%

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

PRXCX vs. VSBIX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PRXCX T. Rowe Price California Tax Free Bond Fund	2.04%	3.99%	3.62%	7.64%	-9.93%	2.68%	4.39%	7.31%	0.75%	5.54%
VSBIX Vanguard Short-Term Treasury Index Fund Institutional Shares	0.52%	5.11%	4.37%	4.28%	-3.87%	-0.67%	3.11%	3.53%	1.52%	0.40%

Correlation

The correlation between PRXCX and VSBIX is 0.40, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.40
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.41
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.41
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.37
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 24, 2009	0.37

Return for Risk

PRXCX vs. VSBIX — Risk / Return Rank

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

PRXCX

PRXCX Risk / Return Rank: 76
PRXCX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 85
PRXCX Sortino Ratio Rank: 91
PRXCX Omega Ratio Rank: 93
PRXCX Calmar Ratio Rank: 56
PRXCX Martin Ratio Rank: 53

VSBIX

VSBIX Risk / Return Rank: 87
VSBIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 83
VSBIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 91
VSBIX Omega Ratio Rank: 84
VSBIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 88
VSBIX Martin Ratio Rank: 90

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.

PRXCX vs. VSBIX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for T. Rowe Price California Tax Free Bond Fund (PRXCX) and Vanguard Short-Term Treasury Index Fund Institutional Shares (VSBIX). 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.

	PRXCX	VSBIX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.76	2.69	+0.07
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	4.48	4.51	-0.03
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.71	1.57	+0.14
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.90	4.35	-1.45
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	10.77	17.98	-7.22
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PRXCX vs. VSBIX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PRXCX Sharpe Ratio is 2.76, which is comparable to the VSBIX Sharpe Ratio of 2.69. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PRXCX and VSBIX, 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

	PRXCX	VSBIX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.76	2.69	+0.07
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.34	0.97	-0.63
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.57	1.16	-0.59
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.09	1.09	0.00

Drawdowns

PRXCX vs. VSBIX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PRXCX drawdown since its inception was -21.67%, which is greater than VSBIX's maximum drawdown of -5.74%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PRXCX and VSBIX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PRXCX	VSBIX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-21.67%	-5.74%	-15.93%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.02%	-0.81%	-2.21%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-6.68%	-0.81%	-5.87%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-15.41%	-5.74%	-9.67%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-15.41%	-5.74%	-9.67%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.09%	-0.20%	+0.11%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.78%	-0.59%	-2.19%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.81%	0.20%	+0.61%

Volatility

PRXCX vs. VSBIX - Volatility Comparison

T. Rowe Price California Tax Free Bond Fund (PRXCX) has a higher volatility of 1.34% compared to Vanguard Short-Term Treasury Index Fund Institutional Shares (VSBIX) at 0.39%. This indicates that PRXCX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VSBIX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PRXCX	VSBIX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	1.34%	0.39%	+0.95%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.40%	0.86%	+1.54%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.23%	1.27%	+1.96%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	4.41%	1.95%	+2.46%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.14%	1.53%	+2.61%

PRXCX vs. VSBIX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PRXCX has a 0.53% expense ratio, which is higher than VSBIX's 0.05% expense ratio.

Dividends

PRXCX vs. VSBIX - Dividend Comparison

PRXCX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.92%, more than VSBIX's 3.87% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
PRXCX T. Rowe Price California Tax Free Bond Fund	4.92%	4.58%	4.10%	3.50%	2.21%	2.82%	2.80%	2.94%	3.11%	3.09%	3.33%	3.42%
VSBIX Vanguard Short-Term Treasury Index Fund Institutional Shares	3.87%	3.99%	4.52%	3.31%	1.14%	0.65%	1.74%	2.28%	1.81%	1.11%	0.80%	0.74%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PRXCX and VSBIX in my portfolio?

PRXCX and VSBIX have a correlation of 0.40, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, PRXCX or VSBIX?

PRXCX has higher volatility (1.34%) compared to VSBIX (0.39%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PRXCX dropped -21.67% vs VSBIX's -5.74%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

PRXCX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.76 vs 2.69), 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.