TIP vs VTI: which was the better investment?
iShares TIPS Bond ETF against Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF on real daily total-return data — every dividend reinvested, from Dec 5, 2003 to Jul 15, 2026.
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Frequently asked questions
Did TIP beat VTI?
No — measured from Dec 5, 2003 to Jul 15, 2026 with dividends reinvested, VTI came out ahead: $108,920 versus $21,745 from a $10,000 start. That gap compounds from a 11.1% annual return against 3.5%.
What would $10,000 in TIP be worth today?
$10,000 invested in iShares TIPS Bond ETF (TIP) on Dec 5, 2003 would be worth about $21,745 as of Jul 15, 2026, a total return of 117.4% (3.5% per year). The same $10,000 in VTI would be worth $108,920.
Which was riskier — TIP or VTI?
TIP swung with an annualized volatility of 6.1% and a worst peak-to-trough drop of -14.5%; VTI ran at 18.8% volatility with a -55.5% maximum drawdown. Risk-adjusted (Sharpe ratio), that is 0.24 for TIP vs 0.49 for VTI.
What data is this comparison based on?
Daily adjusted closing prices covering Dec 5, 2003 through Jul 15, 2026 — the full period where both assets have price history. Adjusted prices include dividends and splits, so these are total returns. The page refreshes with new market data every day.
Can I change the dates, amounts, or add monthly investing?
Yes — the interactive tool on this page is pre-loaded with TIP vs VTI. You can set any start and end date, change the starting amount, add monthly contributions, or build a multi-asset portfolio and compare it against any benchmark.