CALI vs VTI
iShares Short-Term California Muni Active ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, CALI or VTI?
VTI has been ahead.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | CALI | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.20% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $603M | $689.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.54% | 1.06% |
| Holdings | 227 | 3,524 |
| YTD Return | +0.66% | +13.02%Best |
| 1Y Return | +1.19% | +16.63%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +3.60% | +21.97%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | - | +11.99% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 1.3%Best | 12.7% |
| Max Drawdown | -1.2%Best | -19.3% |
| $10,000 over 3.1 years | $11,092 | $17,435Best |
| Fund Family | BlackRock, Inc. (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Fixed Income | Equity |
| Style | - | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | Jul 11, 2023 | May 24, 2001 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 3.1 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Sep 1, 2023 to Oct 14, 2026 (3.1 years).
CALI vs VTI growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 3.1 years both funds cover.
CALI vs VTI Performance
iShares Short-Term California Muni Active ETF (CALI) is an ETF from BlackRock, Inc. (US) and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year CALI returned +1.19% while VTI returned +16.63%. Year to date, CALI is up 0.66% versus a gain of 13.02% for VTI.
Over three years, CALI compounded at +3.60% per year against +21.97% for VTI.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
VTI has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 12.7% compared with 1.3% for CALI. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -1.2% for CALI and -19.3% for VTI. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.63. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
CALI charges 0.20% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $20 vs $3 annually, a gap of $17 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, CALI currently yields 2.54% against 1.06% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
We hold position weights for 29 holdings in CALI and 3,441 in VTI, totalling 19.1% and 98.1% of the two funds. The two books name no position in common, so there is no overlap percentage to show.
0 positions in common, counted across the 29 positions we hold weights for in CALI and 3,441 in VTI, against full books of 227 and 3,524.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of CALI and VTI you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, CALI or VTI?
CALI has an expense ratio of 0.20% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $17 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, CALI or VTI?
Over the past year CALI returned +1.19% vs +16.63% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, CALI or VTI?
VTI has been the more volatile fund at 12.7% annualized versus 1.3% for CALI. Worst drawdown: CALI -1.2% vs VTI -19.3%.
Should I hold both CALI and VTI?
CALI and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.63, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, CALI or VTI?
CALI yields 2.54% while VTI yields 1.06%, so CALI currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than CALI?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.