Refinance Break Even Calculator

Strip refinance math down to break-even — closing costs, current P&I, and new P&I. Click any i for detail.

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Payment change

Closing costs ($)
i
Closing costs

Lender + third-party costs to recover.

Current P&I ($)
i
Current

Existing monthly principal and interest.

New P&I ($)
i
New

Refinanced monthly principal and interest.

How to use this calculator

  1. Enter closing costs.
  2. Enter old and new P&I.
  3. Read months to break even.

Results explained

Headline is months to recover closing costs from payment savings alone.

Quick reference: refi break-even

Simple division.

ItemDetail
Savings/moCurrent − new P&I
Break-evenCosts ÷ savings

Lifetime interest and cash-out proceeds are ignored here.

How the estimate is built

Monthly savings = current payment − new payment. Break-even months = ceil(closing costs ÷ savings) when savings > 0.

Example scenario

$4,500 costs with $175/mo savings → about 26 months to break even on out-of-pocket costs.

FAQ

Financed closing costs?

Use the dollar amount you need to recover via payment savings or cash flow.

Break-even vs stay?

Moving before break-even means you may not recoup costs.

Full refi calculator?

Use mortgage refinance for loan amount and interest totals.