VTI vs VNQ — 20-Year Performance Comparison
Total US Market vs Real Estate (REIT) — backtested 2005–2024
VTI wins$70,668 vs $37,027 on $10,000 over 20 years
VTITotal US Market
Final value$70,668
CAGR+10.3%
Max drawdown-37.0%
Best year+34% (2013)
Years won11 of 20
VNQReal Estate (REIT)
Final value$37,027
CAGR+6.8%
Max drawdown-47.3%
Best year+41% (2021)
Years won9 of 20
Growth of $10,000
2005–2024VTIVNQ
VTI$70,668
VNQ$37,027
50/50 mix$53,297
50/50 blend: $53,297 (+8.7%/yr CAGR)
Splitting equally between VTI and VNQ would have landed between the two — slightly lower CAGR than VTI but less volatility. Try a custom split →
Year-by-year: VTI vs VNQ
| Year | VTI | VNQ | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | +23.8% | +4.8% | VTI |
| 2023 | +26.1% | +11.8% | VTI |
| 2022 | -19.5% | -26.2% | VTI |
| 2021 | +25.7% | +40.5% | VNQ |
| 2020 | +21.1% | -4.7% | VTI |
| 2019 | +30.7% | +28.9% | VTI |
| 2018 | -5.2% | -6.0% | VTI |
| 2017 | +21.2% | +4.9% | VTI |
| 2016 | +12.7% | +8.6% | VTI |
| 2015 | +0.4% | +2.4% | VNQ |
| 2014 | +12.6% | +30.4% | VNQ |
| 2013 | +33.5% | +2.3% | VTI |
| 2012 | +16.4% | +17.6% | VNQ |
| 2011 | +1.1% | +8.6% | VNQ |
| 2010 | +17.3% | +28.4% | VNQ |
| 2009 | +28.8% | +30.1% | VNQ |
| 2008 | -37.0% | -37.0% | VTI |
| 2007 | +5.5% | -16.3% | VTI |
| 2006 | +15.7% | +35.2% | VNQ |
| 2005 | +5.9% | +11.6% | VNQ |
More comparisons
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