The CRSP US Total Market Index tracks essentially the entire US equity market — 3,500+ companies across all market caps, including micro-caps. Used as the underlying index for Vanguard's flagship VTI ETF and VTSAX mutual fund — the most popular 'one-fund' US equity solution. CRSP indices use a banding methodology to reduce index turnover and trading costs. Returns closely match S&P 500 (which captures ~80% of US market cap) but with slightly higher long-term returns from small-cap inclusion. VTI/VTSAX expense ratios: 0.03% — among the lowest available. Pair with VXUS (international) and BND (bonds) for a complete 3-fund portfolio.
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CRSP US Total Market
August 22, 2026 · Aditya Gupta
Investing
Related terms
401(k)
A 401(k) is an employer-sponsored retirement plan where employees contribute pre-tax salary that grows tax-deferred until withdrawal. The…
Active Management
Active management is the attempt to outperform a benchmark through stock selection, sector rotation, market timing, or any…
Alpha
Alpha is excess return relative to a benchmark, adjusted for risk (beta). Positive alpha means an investment outperformed…
Asset Allocation
Asset allocation is the percentage split of your portfolio across asset classes — typically stocks, bonds, and cash,…
Backdoor Roth
The Backdoor Roth is a strategy for high earners (above the Roth IRA income limit) to contribute to…
Beta
Beta measures a stock's volatility relative to the overall market (S&P 500 = beta of 1). Stocks with…
