Computed head-to-head · 6 dimensions
VEA vs VYM
Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF versus Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF — yield, safety, growth trend, cost, scale, and tax treatment.
VEA wins 2–0 on our six-dimension comparison, but VYM can still be the better fit depending on your priorities — see each dimension below.
VEA or VYM — which is better?
VEA wins this comparison 2–0 across 6 dimensions. VEA yields 2.41% — higher than VYM's 2.37% — and carries a 8.1/10 dividend safety score (Strong) vs 7.9/10 for VYM (Solid). VEA wins 2–0 on our six-dimension comparison, but VYM can still be the better fit depending on your priorities — see each dimension below.
Both tickers are closely matched on the two dimensions income investors care about most — yield and dividend safety — making this a genuine toss-up where portfolio fit, tax treatment, and expense ratio should drive the final call.
Scorecard at a glance
| Dimension | VEA | VYM | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yield | 2.41% | 2.37% | Tie |
| Dividend safety | 8.1/10 | 7.9/10 | Tie |
| Growth trend | — | — | Tie |
| Expense ratio | 3.00% | 4.00% | VEA wins |
| Scale | $313.5B | $95.8B | VEA wins |
| Tax efficiency | Qualified-eligible | Qualified-eligible | Tie |
| Overall | 2 wins | 0 wins | VEA wins |
Dimension by dimension
VEA and VYM have nearly identical yields (2.41% vs 2.37%)
Yields are within 5 basis points — effectively a coin-flip on income.
Safety scores are too close to call (8.1/10 vs 7.9/10)
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.
VEA is cheaper (3.00% vs 4.00%)
On a $10,000 position the lower expense ratio saves about $100/year — small annually but compounds significantly over 20+ years.
VEA is 3.3× 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 VEA dividends qualified and are VYM 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
VEA or VYM — which is better?
VEA is better on our scoring, winning 2–0 across six dimensions: yield, dividend safety, growth, cost, scale, and tax treatment. VEA wins 2–0 on our six-dimension comparison, but VYM can still be the better fit depending on your priorities — see each dimension below.
Which is better for income, VEA or VYM?
VEA wins 2–0 on our six-dimension comparison, but VYM can still be the better fit depending on your priorities — see each dimension below.
VEA vs VYM: which has a higher dividend yield?
VEA yields 2.41% and VYM yields 2.37%. Yields are within 5 basis points — effectively a coin-flip on income.
Is VEA or VYM a safer dividend in 2026?
VEA scores 8.1/10 (Strong) on the Infnits dividend safety scale. VYM scores 7.9/10 (Solid). VEA is the safer pick on our scoring model.
Which has better dividend growth, VEA or VYM?
One or both tickers are missing 5-year average yield data.
VEA vs VYM: 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 VEA and VYM 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 VEA diversifies you or just duplicates what you hold. No account, no download.