USRT vs VTI
iShares Core US REIT ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, USRT or VTI?
Mid Cap Blend against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 50.2%.
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 | USRT | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.08% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $4.2B | $689.2B |
| Dividend Yield | 2.85% | 1.06% |
| Holdings | 130 | 3,524 |
| YTD Return | +9.41% | +13.02%Best |
| 1Y Return | +9.58% | +16.63%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +12.01% | +21.97%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +2.95% | +11.99%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 21.5% | 16.0%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -72.9% | -56.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $11,565 | $17,616Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 50.2% | 33.5%Best |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Mid Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | May 1, 2007 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: May 4, 2007 to Oct 14, 2026 (19.4 years).
USRT 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 19.4 years both funds cover.
USRT vs VTI Performance
iShares Core US REIT ETF (USRT) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year USRT returned +9.58% while VTI returned +16.63%. Year to date, USRT is up 9.41% versus a gain of 13.02% for VTI.
Over three years, USRT compounded at +12.01% per year against +21.97% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +2.95% and +11.99% respectively. Across the full 19-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +9.11% annualized vs +1.97%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
USRT has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 21.5% compared with 16.0% for VTI. 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 -72.9% for USRT and -56.6% 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 0.78. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
USRT charges 0.08% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $8 vs $3 annually, a gap of $5 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, USRT currently yields 2.85% against 1.06% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
99.5% of USRT's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 1.8% of VTI's money is in holdings USRT also owns.
Most of USRT is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
123 positions in common, counted across the 124 positions we hold weights for in USRT and 3,441 in VTI, against full books of 130 and 3,524.
What only one of them owns
Measured across the 124 and 3,441 positions we hold weights for.
VTI holds 1,095 positions USRT does not, 95.8% of the fund.
Largest: NVDA 6.88%, AAPL 6.30%, MSFT 5.11%, AMZN 3.41%, GOOGL 2.70%
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in USRT | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| WELLWelltower, Inc. | 9.06% | 0.23% | 8.83% |
| PLDPrologis Inc | 7.20% | 0.18% | 7.02% |
| EQIXEquinix Inc. Real Estate Investment Trust | 6.34% | 0.14% | 6.20% |
| SPGSimon Property Group Inc | 4.51% | 0.09% | 4.42% |
| DLRDigital Realty Trust Inc. | 4.41% | 0.09% | 4.32% |
| PSAPublic Storage | 4.06% | 0.07% | 3.99% |
| ORealty Income Corp. | 3.93% | 0.08% | 3.85% |
| EQRVivmark Residential | 3.89% | 0.07% | 3.82% |
| VTRVentas Inc . | 3.86% | 0.06% | 3.80% |
| IRMIron Mtn Inc New Com Npv | 2.97% | 0.04% | 2.93% |
99.5% of USRT is already inside VTI.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, USRT or VTI?
USRT has an expense ratio of 0.08% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $5 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, USRT or VTI?
Over the past year USRT returned +9.58% vs +16.63% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (19 years), USRT annualized +1.97% vs +9.11% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, USRT or VTI?
USRT has been the more volatile fund at 21.5% annualized versus 16.0% for VTI. Worst drawdown: USRT -72.9% vs VTI -56.6%.
Should I hold both USRT and VTI?
USRT and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.78, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between USRT and VTI?
99.5% of USRT's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 1.8% of VTI's is in holdings USRT also owns. They hold 123 positions in common, counted across the 124 positions we hold weights for in USRT and 3,441 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, USRT or VTI?
USRT yields 2.85% while VTI yields 1.06%, so USRT currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than USRT?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. VTI is less concentrated, with 33.5% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 50.2%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.