Computed head-to-head · 6 dimensions
HDV vs VEA
iShares Core High Dividend ETF versus VANGUARD FTSE DEVELOPED MARKETS ETF — yield, safety, growth trend, cost, scale, and tax treatment.
VEA wins 3–1 on our six-dimension comparison, but HDV can still be the better fit depending on your priorities — see each dimension below.
Scorecard at a glance
| Dimension | HDV | VEA | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yield | 2.90% | 2.54% | HDV wins |
| Dividend safety | 7.6/10 | 8.1/10 | VEA wins |
| Growth trend | — | — | Tie |
| Expense ratio | 8.00% | 3.00% | VEA wins |
| Scale | $13.7B | $316.3B | VEA wins |
| Tax efficiency | Qualified-eligible | Qualified-eligible | Tie |
| Overall | 1 wins | 3 wins | VEA wins |
Dimension by dimension
HDV wins on yield (2.90% vs 2.54%)
On a $10,000 investment that's about $36 more in annual dividend income before taxes — though higher yield often comes with higher risk.
HDV's higher yield (2.90%) looks attractive but investors should weigh whether the extra income compensates for any additional risk versus VEA's 2.54% — especially if the higher yield is driven by covered calls or a falling share price.
VEA wins on safety (8.1/10 vs 7.6/10)
Our score combines yield zone, payout ratio, trend vs 5-year average, instrument type, and size. VEA scores better on the weighted average of those factors.
VEA (8.1/10) scores 0.5 points higher than HDV (7.6/10). A higher safety score means lower historical indicators of dividend cut risk — payout ratio, yield zone, and trend all factor in.
Yield-trend comparison unavailable
One or both tickers are missing 5-year average yield data.
VEA is cheaper (3.00% vs 8.00%)
On a $10,000 position the lower expense ratio saves about $500/year — small annually but compounds significantly over 20+ years.
On $10,000 invested, VEA's lower expense ratio saves roughly $5/year in fees versus HDV. Over 20 years that compounds to a meaningful drag — expense ratios are one of the few costs investors fully control.
VEA is 23.2× 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.
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
Which is better for income, HDV or VEA?
VEA wins 3–1 on our six-dimension comparison, but HDV can still be the better fit depending on your priorities — see each dimension below.
HDV vs VEA: which has a higher dividend yield?
HDV yields 2.90% and VEA yields 2.54%. On a $10,000 investment that's about $36 more in annual dividend income before taxes — though higher yield often comes with higher risk.
Is HDV or VEA a safer dividend in 2026?
HDV scores 7.6/10 (Solid) on the Infnits dividend safety scale. VEA scores 8.1/10 (Strong). VEA is the safer pick on our scoring model.
Which has better dividend growth, HDV or VEA?
One or both tickers are missing 5-year average yield data.
HDV vs VEA: 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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