VPALX vs. VTI

Last updated Jul 16, 2026

VPALX (Vanguard Pennsylvania Long-Term Tax-Exempt Fund Admiral Shares) and VTI (Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF) are both funds - VPALX is a Municipal Bonds fund managed by Vanguard, while VTI is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund tracking the CRSP US Total Market Index. Over the past 10 years, VPALX returned 2.65%/yr vs 14.75%/yr for VTI. At a correlation of -0.10, they often move in opposite directions. VPALX charges 0.09%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VTI.

Performance

VPALX vs. VTI - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VPALX achieves a 1.89% return, which is significantly lower than VTI's 11.75% return. Over the past 10 years, VPALX has underperformed VTI with an annualized return of 2.65%, while VTI has yielded a comparatively higher 14.75% annualized return.

VPALX

• 1D: 0.00%
• 1M: 0.22%
• 6M: 1.61%
• YTD: 1.89%
• 1Y: 8.33%
• 3Y*: 4.57%
• 5Y*: 1.11%
• 10Y*: 2.65%

VTI

• 1D: 0.34%
• 1M: 0.26%
• 6M: 9.87%
• YTD: 11.75%
• 1Y: 23.09%
• 3Y*: 20.04%
• 5Y*: 12.43%
• 10Y*: 14.75%

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

VPALX vs. VTI - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VPALX Vanguard Pennsylvania Long-Term Tax-Exempt Fund Admiral Shares	1.89%	5.34%	2.69%	6.99%	-10.12%	1.81%	5.95%	9.15%	1.20%	6.71%
VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF	11.75%	17.10%	23.81%	26.05%	-19.52%	25.68%	21.08%	30.67%	-5.23%	21.21%

Correlation

The correlation between VPALX and VTI is 0.22, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.22
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.16
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.13
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.03
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since May 31, 2001	-0.10

The correlation between VPALX and VTI shifts across timeframes, from -0.10 (all time) to 0.22 (1 year), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Return for Risk

VPALX vs. VTI — Risk / Return Rank

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

VPALX

VPALX Risk / Return Rank: 85
VPALX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 95
VPALX Sortino Ratio Rank: 95
VPALX Omega Ratio Rank: 96
VPALX Calmar Ratio Rank: 73
VPALX Martin Ratio Rank: 66

VTI

VTI Risk / Return Rank: 70
VTI Sharpe Ratio Rank: 70
VTI Sortino Ratio Rank: 68
VTI Omega Ratio Rank: 69
VTI Calmar Ratio Rank: 65
VTI Martin Ratio Rank: 77

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.

VPALX vs. VTI - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Pennsylvania Long-Term Tax-Exempt Fund Admiral Shares (VPALX) and Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI). 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.

	VPALX	VTI	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.72	1.81	+0.91
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.33	2.49	+1.85
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.70	1.32	+0.38
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.63	2.60	+0.03
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.77	11.39	-1.62

VPALX vs. VTI - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VPALX Sharpe Ratio is 2.72, which is higher than the VTI Sharpe Ratio of 1.81. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VPALX and VTI, 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

VPALX vs. VTI - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VPALX drawdown since its inception was -15.87%, smaller than the maximum VTI drawdown of -55.45%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VPALX and VTI.

Drawdown Indicators

	VPALX	VTI	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-15.87%	-55.45%	+39.58%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-3.10%	-8.92%	+5.82%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-7.01%	-19.30%	+12.29%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-15.87%	-25.36%	+9.49%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-15.87%	-35.00%	+19.13%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.55%	-0.23%	-0.32%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-1.95%	-8.00%	+6.05%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	0.84%	2.03%	-1.19%

Volatility

VPALX vs. VTI - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Pennsylvania Long-Term Tax-Exempt Fund Admiral Shares (VPALX) is 0.60%, while Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) has a volatility of 3.73%. This indicates that VPALX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VTI based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VPALX	VTI	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	0.60%	3.73%	-3.13%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	2.33%	10.12%	-7.79%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.01%	12.83%	-9.82%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	4.50%	17.51%	-13.01%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	4.41%	18.28%	-13.87%

VPALX vs. VTI - Expense Ratio Comparison

VPALX has a 0.09% expense ratio, which is higher than VTI's 0.03% 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

VPALX vs. VTI - Dividend Comparison

VPALX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.72%, more than VTI's 1.05% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
VPALX Vanguard Pennsylvania Long-Term Tax-Exempt Fund Admiral Shares	3.72%	4.54%	4.14%	3.03%	3.21%	2.30%	3.24%	3.79%	3.99%	4.02%	4.20%	4.00%
VTI Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF	1.05%	1.12%	1.27%	1.44%	1.66%	1.21%	1.42%	1.78%	2.04%	1.71%	1.92%	1.98%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VPALX and VTI in my portfolio?

VPALX and VTI have a correlation of 0.22, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VPALX or VTI?

VTI has higher volatility (3.73%) compared to VPALX (0.60%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VPALX dropped -15.87% vs VTI's -55.45%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VPALX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.72 vs 1.81), 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.