Why are the Vanyar higher than the Noldor?

[obloquy]

but at least they had a life.

I hate this cliche. It's always applied so ignorantly. The stories Tolkien wrote were centered around the silmarils, and it was primarily the Noldor, through family ties and allegiances, who were connected to the story of the silmarils. The Vanyar simply didn't have much part in the story Tolkien chose to tell. Does that mean they didn't 'have a life'? That they didn't do anything noteworthy? that no individual Vanya had passion as fiery as Fëanor's? that the Vanyar were just plain boring? I think, had Tolkien chosen to record the history of the Vanyar, it would have been filled with accomplishments of beauty in art, poetry, literature, and architecture; excellence of knowledge and a truly deep enlightenment; love and romances, characterized by a burning purity....

But no, I doubt there would be any killing. There would be no duels with Balrogs, and no kinslayings, and no acts of treachery. I guess you're right: they had no life.