VCRM vs. VPALX

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

VCRM (Vanguard Core Tax-Exempt Bond ETF) and VPALX (Vanguard Pennsylvania Long-Term Tax-Exempt Fund Admiral Shares) are both Municipal Bonds funds from Vanguard. Over the past year, VCRM returned 8.13% vs 8.43% for VPALX. A 0.74 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. VCRM charges 0.12%/yr vs 0.09%/yr for VPALX.

Performance

VCRM vs. VPALX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Core Tax-Exempt Bond ETF (VCRM) and Vanguard Pennsylvania Long-Term Tax-Exempt Fund Admiral Shares (VPALX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VCRM achieves a 2.08% return, which is significantly higher than VPALX's 1.76% return.

VCRM

• 1D: 0.13%
• 1M: 0.80%
• YTD: 2.08%
• 6M: 2.57%
• 1Y: 8.13%
• 3Y*: —
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

VPALX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.87%
• YTD: 1.76%
• 6M: 2.36%
• 1Y: 8.43%
• 3Y*: 4.75%
• 5Y*: 1.27%
• 10Y*: 2.76%

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

VCRM vs. VPALX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024
VCRM Vanguard Core Tax-Exempt Bond ETF	2.08%	4.91%	-0.58%
VPALX Vanguard Pennsylvania Long-Term Tax-Exempt Fund Admiral Shares	1.76%	5.34%	0.27%

Correlation

The correlation between VCRM and VPALX is 0.66, 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	0.66
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 22, 2024	0.74

The correlation between VCRM and VPALX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.66 to 0.74 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

VCRM vs. VPALX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VCRM

VCRM Risk / Return Rank: 77
VCRM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 83
VCRM Sortino Ratio Rank: 88
VCRM Omega Ratio Rank: 91
VCRM Calmar Ratio Rank: 61
VCRM Martin Ratio Rank: 62

VPALX

VPALX Risk / Return Rank: 76
VPALX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 88
VPALX Sortino Ratio Rank: 92
VPALX Omega Ratio Rank: 94
VPALX Calmar Ratio Rank: 55
VPALX Martin Ratio Rank: 50

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.

VCRM vs. VPALX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Core Tax-Exempt Bond ETF (VCRM) and Vanguard Pennsylvania Long-Term Tax-Exempt Fund Admiral Shares (VPALX). 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.

	VCRM	VPALX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.68	2.87	-0.19
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.96	4.64	-0.68
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.58	1.74	-0.16
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.00	2.80	+0.20
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	11.11	10.04	+1.07
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

VCRM vs. VPALX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VCRM Sharpe Ratio is 2.68, which is comparable to the VPALX Sharpe Ratio of 2.87. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VCRM and VPALX, 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

	VCRM	VPALX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.68	2.87	-0.19
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.28	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.63	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	1.09	1.04	+0.05

Drawdowns

VCRM vs. VPALX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VCRM drawdown since its inception was -4.12%, smaller than the maximum VPALX drawdown of -15.87%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VCRM and VPALX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VCRM	VPALX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-4.12%	-15.87%	+11.75%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-2.72%	-3.10%	+0.38%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	—	-7.01%	—
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-15.87%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-15.87%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.13%	-0.24%	+0.11%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.13%	-1.96%	+0.83%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.73%	0.86%	-0.13%

Volatility

VCRM vs. VPALX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Core Tax-Exempt Bond ETF (VCRM) is 0.98%, while Vanguard Pennsylvania Long-Term Tax-Exempt Fund Admiral Shares (VPALX) has a volatility of 1.24%. This indicates that VCRM experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VPALX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VCRM	VPALX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.98%	1.24%	-0.26%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.17%	2.30%	-0.13%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.05%	3.03%	+0.02%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	3.89%	4.50%	-0.61%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	3.89%	4.41%	-0.52%

VCRM vs. VPALX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VCRM has a 0.12% expense ratio, which is higher than VPALX's 0.09% expense ratio. However, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

VCRM vs. VPALX - Dividend Comparison

VCRM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.63%, less than VPALX's 3.71% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VCRM Vanguard Core Tax-Exempt Bond ETF	3.63%	3.42%	0.40%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VPALX Vanguard Pennsylvania Long-Term Tax-Exempt Fund Admiral Shares	3.71%	4.54%	4.14%	3.03%	3.21%	2.30%	3.24%	3.79%	3.99%	4.02%	4.20%	4.00%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VCRM and VPALX in my portfolio?

VCRM and VPALX have a correlation of 0.66, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VCRM or VPALX?

VPALX has higher volatility (1.24%) compared to VCRM (0.98%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VCRM dropped -4.12% vs VPALX's -15.87%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VPALX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.87 vs 2.68), 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.