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Break-Even Calculator

See how long a refinance takes to pay for itself. Enter the monthly savings the refinance produces and the total cost of doing it. We compare that to how long you expect to stay in the home.

Your numbers

$

The drop in your monthly principal and interest payment

$

Closing costs plus any discount points

yrs

A rough sense of how long until you sell or refinance again

Plain-English summary

You break even around month 24, or about 2 years. Over the time you expect to stay in the home, you would net about $13,280 after recovering the refinance cost.

Break-even point

Months to break even24
Years and months2 yr 0 mo
Cumulative savings at break-even$5,280

Over your expected stay

Time horizon7 yr
Net savings after costs$13,280

You expect to stay long enough to come out ahead on this refinance.

Results are estimates based on user inputs and do not represent loan terms, APR, or a financing offer. Pre-filled values are illustrative examples, not available or quoted rates. Actual terms depend on credit, property, program, and underwriting.

Want to know if your specific refinance pencils?

Talk it through with a loan officer to understand real refinance terms based on your current loan, your goals, and the prevailing market.

Discuss Your Scenario

Frequently asked questions

What is the break-even point in a refinance?
The number of months it takes for your monthly payment savings to add up to the closing costs you paid for the refinance. Stay in the home past break-even and the refinance was worth it.
What's a good break-even period?
Under 36 months is generally good. Under 24 months is excellent. Anything over 60 months and you should look hard at whether you'll really be in the home that long.

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Related reading

Want the story behind the numbers?

  • HubWhen to refinanceHow break-even fits the bigger refinance decision.Read
  • ArticleWhat actually moves mortgage rates (and what does not)Why waiting (or not waiting) for a rate drop can backfire.Read
  • HubRate-and-term refinanceWhere the closing costs in your break-even come from.Read

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