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ETF Comparison

VYM vs VIG: High Dividend Yield or Dividend Growth?

Two Vanguard dividend funds at 0.04% fees, built on opposite philosophies. VYM casts a wide net for above-average yields (2.41%); VIG screens for a decade of dividend increases (1.66%). Compare income today against growth tomorrow.

Data as of September 28, 2026

VYM

Vanguard High Dividend Yield ETF

Vanguard

High Dividend Yield

Price

$154.95

Yield (TTM)

2.41%

VYM dividend calculator →

VIG

Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF

Vanguard

Dividend Growth

Price

$226.83

Yield (TTM)

1.66%

VIG dividend calculator →

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Project compounded returns, dividend income, and reinvestment using each ETF's real yield, expense ratio, and distribution frequency.

Calculate with VYMCalculate with VIGCompare side by side

Quick Comparison Summary

VYM vs VIG: compare dividend yield (2.4% vs 1.7%), expense ratio (0.04% vs 0.04%), holdings, returns, and our verdict for dividend investors.

Side-by-Side Metrics
MetricVYMVIG
IssuerVanguardVanguard
Inception2006-11-102006-04-21
CategoryHigh Dividend YieldDividend Growth
Price$154.95$226.83
NAV$154.96$226.87
Dividend Yield (TTM)2.41%1.66%
Expense Ratio0.04%0.04%
Distribution FrequencyQuarterlyQuarterly
AUM$76.7B$105.4B
Total Returns

3Y and 5Y figures are annualized. A 0% value indicates the fund had not been listed for the full period.

Holdings & Sector Exposure

VYM

Top 5 / 5 shown

  • JPM

    JPMorgan Chase

    3.92%

  • AVGO

    Broadcom

    3.41%

  • XOM

    ExxonMobil

    3.05%

  • JNJ

    Johnson & Johnson

    2.48%

  • PG

    Procter & Gamble

    2.31%

Sector Weights

  • Financials21.5%
  • Health Care13.8%
  • Consumer Staples12.6%
  • Industrials11.4%
  • Energy9.8%
  • Information Tech9.1%

VIG

Top 5 / 5 shown

  • MSFT

    Microsoft

    4.85%

  • AAPL

    Apple

    4.42%

  • JPM

    JPMorgan Chase

    3.92%

  • AVGO

    Broadcom

    3.45%

  • V

    Visa

    3.18%

Sector Weights

  • Information Tech22.8%
  • Financials19.4%
  • Health Care15.2%
  • Industrials13.8%
  • Consumer Staples11.4%
  • Consumer Disc.6.8%

Pros & Cons

VYMPros
  • 2.41% yield versus 1.66% for VIG
  • Several hundred holdings across many sectors
  • 0.04% expense ratio
  • Excludes REITs, keeping distributions mostly qualified
VIGPros
  • Requires at least 10 consecutive years of dividend increases
  • Track record of growing payout per share over time
  • 0.04% expense ratio
  • Quality tilt has historically held up in downturns
VYMCons
  • No dividend-growth requirement — some holdings may lag inflation
  • Yield tilts the portfolio toward slower-growth sectors
  • Income growth has historically trailed dividend-growth funds
VIGCons
  • 1.66% starting yield — modest current income
  • Excludes the highest-yielding quartile by design
  • Quarterly distributions only
The Verdict

VYM wins on income today: 2.41% versus VIG's 1.66%, from several hundred large and mid-cap names outside the top yield quartile. VIG wins on payout trajectory: every holding has raised its dividend for at least ten consecutive years, which historically has produced faster income growth. Current yield favors VYM; a longer horizon favors VIG.

Best for
VYM

Investors who want more income now from broad, diversified U.S. equities

Best for
VIG

Investors who care more about rising payouts than the current yield

Strategy Summary

VYM

Tracks the FTSE High Dividend Yield Index — U.S. stocks with above-average forecast dividend yields, excluding REITs. Broad, market-cap-weighted exposure for low-cost income.

VIG

Tracks the S&P U.S. Dividend Growers Index — companies with at least 10 consecutive years of dividend growth, excluding the top 25% highest-yielding (a quality screen against yield traps).

Frequently Asked Questions

VYM yields about 2.41% versus VIG's 1.66%. VYM's index targets above-average forecast yields; VIG's growth screen pushes its yield lower.

VIG's index requires at least ten consecutive years of dividend increases, so its design points toward faster payout growth. VYM includes many high-yield names whose payouts may grow more slowly. Check the dividend-growth figures on each fund page for the current data.

They share some large dividend payers such as JPMorgan Chase, but the screens diverge: VIG requires a decade of dividend growth and excludes the top 25% highest-yielding stocks, while VYM deliberately tilts toward higher yields and excludes REITs. Overlap is moderate, not identical.

VYM supplies more income per dollar today; VIG's rising payout can help income keep pace with inflation over a long retirement. Many investors blend the two, or pair either with a higher-yield sleeve — model the income trajectories in the calculator.

Both charge 0.04% per year, making them among the cheapest dividend ETFs available. At that level, fees are unlikely to be the deciding factor between them.
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Disclaimer: This page is for educational purposes only and is not financial, investment, or tax advice. ETF data is sourced from issuer fact sheets and may be slightly out of date. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Always consult a qualified advisor before making investment decisions.