VPAIX vs. VDIGX

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

VPAIX (Vanguard Pennsylvania Long-Term Tax-Exempt Fund Investor Shares) and VDIGX (Vanguard Dividend Growth Fund) are both mutual funds - VPAIX is a Municipal Bonds fund managed by Vanguard, while VDIGX is a Dividend fund actively managed by Vanguard. Over the past 10 years, VPAIX returned 2.66%/yr vs 12.33%/yr for VDIGX. At a 0.01 correlation, their price movements are largely independent. VPAIX charges 0.17%/yr vs 0.22%/yr for VDIGX.

Performance

VPAIX vs. VDIGX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Pennsylvania Long-Term Tax-Exempt Fund Investor Shares (VPAIX) and Vanguard Dividend Growth Fund (VDIGX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VPAIX achieves a 1.83% return, which is significantly lower than VDIGX's 2.69% return. Over the past 10 years, VPAIX has underperformed VDIGX with an annualized return of 2.66%, while VDIGX has yielded a comparatively higher 12.33% annualized return.

VPAIX

• 1D: 0.09%
• 1M: 1.81%
• YTD: 1.83%
• 6M: 2.24%
• 1Y: 8.27%
• 3Y*: 4.75%
• 5Y*: 1.30%
• 10Y*: 2.66%

VDIGX

• 1D: 0.51%
• 1M: 0.93%
• YTD: 2.69%
• 6M: 2.42%
• 1Y: 10.98%
• 3Y*: 13.24%
• 5Y*: 10.35%
• 10Y*: 12.33%

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

VPAIX vs. VDIGX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VPAIX Vanguard Pennsylvania Long-Term Tax-Exempt Fund Investor Shares	1.83%	5.27%	2.59%	7.25%	-10.20%	1.97%	5.86%	9.05%	1.11%	6.61%
VDIGX Vanguard Dividend Growth Fund	2.69%	11.11%	20.84%	8.11%	-4.89%	24.86%	12.04%	30.94%	0.08%	19.32%

Correlation

The correlation between VPAIX and VDIGX is 0.28, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.28
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.20
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.15
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.05
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 15, 1992	0.01

Over the past year, VPAIX and VDIGX have become more correlated (0.28) than their long-term average of 0.01, meaning their price movements have been converging.

Return for Risk

VPAIX vs. VDIGX — Risk / Return Rank

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

VPAIX

VPAIX Risk / Return Rank: 76
VPAIX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 90
VPAIX Sortino Ratio Rank: 93
VPAIX Omega Ratio Rank: 94
VPAIX Calmar Ratio Rank: 54
VPAIX Martin Ratio Rank: 49

VDIGX

VDIGX Risk / Return Rank: 16
VDIGX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 16
VDIGX Sortino Ratio Rank: 17
VDIGX Omega Ratio Rank: 14
VDIGX Calmar Ratio Rank: 13
VDIGX Martin Ratio Rank: 19

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.

VPAIX vs. VDIGX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Pennsylvania Long-Term Tax-Exempt Fund Investor Shares (VPAIX) and Vanguard Dividend Growth Fund (VDIGX). 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	VPAIX	VDIGX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.77	1.05	+1.71
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.45	1.60	+2.85
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.71	1.19	+0.53
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.68	1.18	+1.50
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.57	4.58	+4.98

VPAIX vs. VDIGX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VPAIX Sharpe Ratio is 2.77, which is higher than the VDIGX Sharpe Ratio of 1.05. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VPAIX and VDIGX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

VPAIX vs. VDIGX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VPAIX drawdown since its inception was -19.51%, smaller than the maximum VDIGX drawdown of -45.23%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VPAIX and VDIGX.

Drawdown Indicators

	VPAIX	VDIGX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-19.51%	-45.23%	+25.72%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.10%	-9.09%	+5.99%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-7.01%	-10.23%	+3.22%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-15.76%	-16.18%	+0.42%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-15.76%	-32.98%	+17.22%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.17%	-0.63%	+0.46%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-2.15%	-6.64%	+4.49%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.87%	2.34%	-1.47%

Volatility

VPAIX vs. VDIGX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Pennsylvania Long-Term Tax-Exempt Fund Investor Shares (VPAIX) is 0.86%, while Vanguard Dividend Growth Fund (VDIGX) has a volatility of 3.11%. This indicates that VPAIX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VDIGX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VPAIX	VDIGX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.86%	3.11%	-2.25%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.30%	7.81%	-5.51%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.00%	10.22%	-7.22%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	4.49%	13.89%	-9.40%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.41%	15.71%	-11.30%

VPAIX vs. VDIGX - Expense Ratio Comparison

VPAIX has a 0.17% expense ratio, which is lower than VDIGX's 0.22% expense ratio. Despite the difference, both funds are considered low-cost compared to the broader market, where average expense ratios usually range from 0.3% to 0.9%.

Dividends

VPAIX vs. VDIGX - Dividend Comparison

VPAIX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.65%, less than VDIGX's 23.91% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VDIGX Vanguard Dividend Growth Fund	23.91%	21.90%	21.94%	2.29%	6.06%	5.45%	2.83%	4.70%	8.72%	5.16%	2.86%	5.70%
VPAIX Vanguard Pennsylvania Long-Term Tax-Exempt Fund Investor Shares	3.65%	4.48%	4.04%	3.25%	3.12%	2.45%	3.16%	3.70%	3.91%	3.93%	4.10%	3.92%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VPAIX and VDIGX in my portfolio?

VPAIX and VDIGX have a correlation of 0.28, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VPAIX or VDIGX?

VDIGX has higher volatility (3.11%) compared to VPAIX (0.86%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VPAIX dropped -19.51% vs VDIGX's -45.23%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VPAIX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.77 vs 1.05), 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.