Computed head-to-head · 6 dimensions
VIG vs VYM
Vanguard Dividend Appreciation Index Fund ETF Shares versus Vanguard High Dividend Yield Index Fund ETF Shares — yield, safety, growth trend, cost, scale, and tax treatment.
VYM wins 2–0 on our six-dimension comparison, but VIG can still be the better fit depending on your priorities — see each dimension below.
VYM wins this comparison 2–0 across 6 dimensions. VYM yields 2.22% — higher than VIG's 1.48% — and carries a 7.9/10 dividend safety score (Solid) vs 7.2/10 for VIG (Solid). VYM wins 2–0 on our six-dimension comparison, but VIG can still be the better fit depending on your priorities — see each dimension below.
On yield alone, VYM generates 2.22% vs 1.48% — a 0.74% difference that translates to $740 more per year on a $100,000 investment. On dividend safety, VYM scores 7.9/10 (Solid) vs 7.2/10 (Solid) for VIG — investors prioritizing income reliability should weight that gap alongside the yield difference.
Scorecard at a glance
| Dimension | VIG | VYM | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yield | 1.48% | 2.22% | VYM wins |
| Dividend safety | 7.2/10 | 7.9/10 | VYM wins |
| Growth trend | — | — | Tie |
| Expense ratio | 4.00% | 4.00% | Tie |
| Scale | $132.4B | $100.8B | Tie |
| Tax efficiency | Qualified-eligible | Qualified-eligible | Tie |
| Overall | 0 wins | 2 wins | VYM wins |
Dimension by dimension
VYM wins on yield (2.22% vs 1.48%)
On a $10,000 investment that's about $74 more in annual dividend income before taxes — though higher yield often comes with higher risk.
VYM's higher yield (2.22%) looks attractive but investors should weigh whether the extra income compensates for any additional risk versus VIG's 1.48% — especially if the higher yield is driven by covered calls or a falling share price.
VYM wins on safety (7.9/10 vs 7.2/10)
Our score combines yield zone, payout ratio, trend vs 5-year average, instrument type, and size. VYM scores better on the weighted average of those factors.
VYM (7.9/10) scores 0.7 points higher than VIG (7.2/10). 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.
Expense ratios are effectively identical
Both ETFs charge 4.00% — no meaningful cost difference over decades of compounding.
Comparable scale ($132.4B vs $100.8B)
Within 1.5x of each other on market cap / AUM — similar institutional footprint.
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, VIG or VYM?
VYM wins 2–0 on our six-dimension comparison, but VIG can still be the better fit depending on your priorities — see each dimension below.
VIG vs VYM: which has a higher dividend yield?
VIG yields 1.48% and VYM yields 2.22%. On a $10,000 investment that's about $74 more in annual dividend income before taxes — though higher yield often comes with higher risk.
Is VIG or VYM a safer dividend in 2026?
VIG scores 7.2/10 (Solid) on the Infnits dividend safety scale. VYM scores 7.9/10 (Solid). VYM is the safer pick on our scoring model.
Which has better dividend growth, VIG or VYM?
One or both tickers are missing 5-year average yield data.
VIG 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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