Mortgage Comparison Calculator

Compare up to 3 mortgage scenarios side by side. Enter each loan's amount, rate, term, and fees to find the best deal.

Compare up to 3 mortgage scenarios side by side.
1Option 1
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$
2Option 2
$
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Option 1
$1,946/mo
6.75% · 30 yrs
Loan Amount$300,000
Total Interest$400,486
Closing Fees$3,000
Total Cost$703,486
BEST DEAL
Option 2
$2,572/mo
6.25% · 15 yrs
Loan Amount$300,000
Total Interest$163,008
Closing Fees$2,500
Total Cost$465,508

How to Use This Mortgage Comparison Calculator

Enter up to 3 loan scenarios side by side. For each loan, enter the Loan Amount, Interest Rate, Term, and Closing Fees. The calculator instantly shows each loan's monthly payment, total interest, and total cost — and automatically highlights the best overall deal based on total cost.

Use the 2 loans / 3 loans toggle to compare as many scenarios as you have. Common use cases: comparing quotes from different lenders, comparing different down payment amounts, or evaluating rate vs. points tradeoffs.

What to Put in Closing Fees

Include lender-specific costs: origination fees, discount points (1 point = 1% of loan amount), underwriting fees, and application fees. Exclude third-party costs that are similar across lenders (appraisal, title, attorney fees) since those won't differ much between loan options.

How the Comparison Works

Monthly Payment = P × [r(1+r)^n] / [(1+r)^n - 1]

Total Interest = (Monthly Payment × n) − Loan Amount

Total Cost = Loan Amount + Total Interest + Closing Fees

Best Deal = Loan with Lowest Total Cost

Break-Even on Points = Points Cost ÷ Monthly Savings

Total cost is the most comprehensive comparison metric — it accounts for the rate, term, loan amount, and all upfront fees. A lower rate with $5,000 in extra points may cost more overall than a slightly higher rate with minimal fees, especially for shorter holding periods.

Example: Comparing Three Lender Quotes

Sarah's Side-by-Side Comparison — $300,000 Purchase

Lender ALender BLender C
Rate6.5%6.25%6.75%
Term30 yr30 yr20 yr
Closing Costs$2,000$5,500$1,200
Monthly Payment$1,896$1,847$2,273
Total Interest$382,560$364,920$245,520
Total Cost$384,560$370,420$246,720
Best for...Low fees/flexibilityLower rate, long-termFastest payoff

Lender C (20-year) wins on total cost by $124,000 but has the highest monthly payment. If Sarah needs a lower payment, Lender A's lower fees make it competitive vs. Lender B's points despite the slightly higher rate. She'd break even on Lender B's extra points in ~9 years.

Frequently Asked Questions

Compare the Loan Estimate (LE) documents you receive from each lender. Key figures: interest rate, APR, monthly payment, and total closing costs on page 1; total interest paid over the loan on page 3. Use this calculator to see total lifetime cost including all fees side by side.
The interest rate determines your monthly payment. APR (Annual Percentage Rate) includes the rate plus lender fees spread over the loan life — it's a better measure of true loan cost. A loan at 6.25% with high fees may have an APR of 6.6%, while a 6.5% loan with no fees has an APR of 6.5%. The lower APR loan is the better deal if you hold the loan to term.
It depends on how long you keep the loan. If you'll sell or refinance in 5 years, minimize upfront costs and focus on the lowest monthly payment. If you'll stay 20+ years, minimize total cost (rate × term + fees). Calculate your break-even point: extra upfront costs ÷ monthly savings = months to break even. If you stay past that point, paying more upfront wins.
Each point costs 1% of the loan and typically reduces the rate by 0.25%. On a $300,000 loan, 1 point = $3,000 upfront for ~$50/month savings. Break-even = $3,000 ÷ $50 = 60 months (5 years). If you'll keep the loan 7+ years, paying points is worth it. If you might refinance or move within 5 years, skip the points.
Get at least 3–5 quotes. Research shows borrowers who shop 5 lenders save significantly vs. those who get 1 quote. All mortgage rate inquiries within a 14–45 day window count as a single credit pull for scoring purposes, so shopping around doesn't hurt your credit. Include your bank, at least one credit union, and a mortgage broker.

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