: For the lowest risk, look for General Obligation (GO) bonds , which are backed by the taxing power of the municipality, rather than revenue bonds, which depend on specific project income (like toll roads).
: If you live in a high-tax state like California or New York, buying bonds issued in your home state can exempt you from both federal and state income taxes. For example, a 3% yield on the CMF ETF can equate to a 6.6% tax-equivalent yield for top-bracket California residents. best place to buy municipal bonds
: Offers highly specialized funds, such as the iShares New York Muni Bond ETF (NYF) and iShares California Muni Bond ETF (CMF) , which are essential for residents of high-tax states seeking double tax exemptions. Strategic Considerations for 2026 : For the lowest risk, look for General
Individual Bonds vs. Bond Funds: A Comparison | State Street : Offers highly specialized funds, such as the
For investors seeking tax-free income in 2026, the best place to buy municipal bonds depends on whether you prefer the control of individual bonds or the convenience of managed funds. is widely considered the top platform for purchasing individual "munis" due to its massive inventory of over 100,000 offerings . If you prefer a hands-off approach, Vanguard and Schwab offer some of the most cost-effective municipal bond ETFs with expense ratios as low as 0.03%. Best Online Brokerages for Individual Bonds