Points Break-Even Calculator
Educational calculators — always consult a licensed professional before making financial decisions.
Home price minus down payment.
The baseline rate your lender is offering.
Each point typically reduces your rate by 0.25%. Your lender will quote this.
1 point = 1% of loan amount. Ask your lender for the exact cost.
Break-even point
61 months (5.1 yrs)
Stay longer and points save you money
Without Points vs. With Points
30-Year Interest Comparison
Analysis assumes you keep the loan for the full term. If you refinance or sell before break-even, points cost money. Consult a licensed mortgage professional.
Your Saved Scenarios
No saved scenarios yet
Read next
First-Time Buyer FAQ
The 30 questions first-time buyers actually ask — how much to put down (the median is 10%, not 20%), what closing costs really run, who can pay them, when PMI ends, and what changes the month you get the keys. Sourced 2026 figures, with a calculator for every answer.
First-Time Home Buyer Guide
The complete first-time buyer journey for 2026 — from deciding whether to buy through getting the keys and your first year: every step and cost, FHA/conventional/VA/USDA loans, down-payment assistance, and a free calculator at each phase.
Is Refinancing Worth It?
Closing costs divided by monthly saving is the whole decision. The formula worked with July 2026 rates, the rate drop you need to break even in 2/3/5 years, the term reset that raises your total interest at a lower rate, and what forecasters actually expect.
Points Break-Even Calculator is built and maintained by the RealCostIQ editorial team. Cost ranges and rates are checked against published industry data and contractor quotes, and revised when the underlying figures move. Read our data methodology or more about who builds this. Every calculation runs in your browser — no account, and none of your inputs are stored.
Cost ranges and rates here are checked against contractor quotes and published industry data. If a number still looks off, email Support@RealCostIQ.com and we'll review and fix it.