Computed head-to-head · 6 dimensions
DGRO vs HDV
iShares Core Dividend Growth ETF versus iShares Core High Dividend ETF — yield, safety, growth trend, cost, scale, and tax treatment.
DGRO and HDV are evenly matched (1–1 across six dimensions) — the right pick comes down to which dimension you weight most.
DGRO or HDV — which is better?
Neither DGRO nor HDV wins outright — the two are nearly equivalent across all 6 dimensions, making the choice largely a matter of which account you hold them in and personal preference on yield vs stability. DGRO and HDV are evenly matched (1–1 across six dimensions) — the right pick comes down to which dimension you weight most.
On yield alone, HDV generates 3.05% vs 1.98% — a 1.07% difference that translates to $1,070 more per year on a $100,000 investment.
Scorecard at a glance
| Dimension | DGRO | HDV | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yield | 1.98% | 3.05% | HDV wins |
| Dividend safety | 7.6/10 | 7.6/10 | Tie |
| Growth trend | — | — | Tie |
| Expense ratio | 8.00% | 8.00% | Tie |
| Scale | $41.9B | $14.5B | DGRO wins |
| Tax efficiency | Qualified-eligible | Qualified-eligible | Tie |
| Overall | 1 wins | 1 wins | Tie |
Dimension by dimension
HDV wins on yield (3.05% vs 1.98%)
On a $10,000 investment that's about $107 more in annual dividend income before taxes — though higher yield often comes with higher risk.
HDV's higher yield (3.05%) looks attractive but investors should weigh whether the extra income compensates for any additional risk versus DGRO's 1.98% — especially if the higher yield is driven by covered calls or a falling share price.
Safety scores are too close to call (7.6/10 vs 7.6/10)
Both score within 0.3 points on our 0-10 dividend safety scale — comparable risk profiles on the signals we measure.
Yield-trend comparison unavailable
One or both tickers are missing 5-year average yield data.
Expense ratios are effectively identical
Both ETFs charge 8.00% — no meaningful cost difference over decades of compounding.
DGRO is 2.9× larger by AUM
Larger funds tend to have tighter spreads, deeper liquidity, and lower closure risk.
Both pay qualified-dividend-eligible distributions
Neither is structurally flagged for ordinary-income tax treatment. Most distributions should qualify for the lower long-term capital gains rate if holding-period requirements are met.
Full breakdown per ticker: are DGRO dividends qualified and are HDV dividends qualified — each with the after-tax income at every federal bracket.
How we compare these
Every comparison on this page is computed from current public data, not written by hand. Yield comes from the most recent dividend distribution annualized over current price. Safety scores combine yield zone, payout ratio, trend vs 5-year average, instrument type, and size — see our methodology for the exact formula. Tax-efficiency flags identify covered-call ETFs, REITs, and mREITs which distribute primarily as ordinary income.
This is educational, not investment advice. Scores reflect a snapshot of public data on the "as of" dates shown on each ticker's safety page. Verify on the issuer's investor relations page or your brokerage before making decisions.
Frequently asked
DGRO or HDV — which is better?
Neither — DGRO and HDV tie 1–1 across the six dimensions we score. DGRO and HDV are evenly matched (1–1 across six dimensions) — the right pick comes down to which dimension you weight most.
Which is better for income, DGRO or HDV?
DGRO and HDV are evenly matched (1–1 across six dimensions) — the right pick comes down to which dimension you weight most.
DGRO vs HDV: which has a higher dividend yield?
DGRO yields 1.98% and HDV yields 3.05%. On a $10,000 investment that's about $107 more in annual dividend income before taxes — though higher yield often comes with higher risk.
Is DGRO or HDV a safer dividend in 2026?
DGRO scores 7.6/10 (Solid) on the Infnits dividend safety scale. HDV scores 7.6/10 (Solid). Both have comparable safety scores.
Which has better dividend growth, DGRO or HDV?
One or both tickers are missing 5-year average yield data.
DGRO vs HDV: which is more tax-efficient?
Neither is structurally flagged for ordinary-income tax treatment. Most distributions should qualify for the lower long-term capital gains rate if holding-period requirements are met.
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Compare both against your actual holdings
Put DGRO and HDV into the free analyzer with the rest of your portfolio. You'll see what each one contributes to your annual income, your weighted safety score, and whether adding either diversifies you or just duplicates what you hold. No account, no download.