15-Year vs 30-Year Mortgage: Costs, Tradeoffs, and Breakdowns

The Great Debate

When choosing a mortgage, the biggest decision after "how much" is "how long." The 30-year fixed is the American standard, but the 15-year fixed is the financial purist's favorite. Which is right for you?

The Numbers Game

Let's compare a $300,000 loan. (Note: 15-year loans typically have lower interest rates).

| Feature | 30-Year Fixed (6.5%) | 15-Year Fixed (5.8%) | Difference | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Monthly P&I | $1,896 | $2,500 | +$604 / mo | | Total Interest | $382,000 | $150,000 | -$232,000 | | Total Cost | $682,000 | $450,000 | -$232,000 |

The 15-Year Advantage

Massive Savings: In this example, you save nearly a quarter-million dollars.
Lower Rate: Banks take less risk with shorter loans, so they offer lower rates.
Freedom: You own your home in half the time.

The 30-Year Advantage

Cash Flow: The payment is $604 lower every month. That is real money you can use for groceries, childcare, or investing.
Flexibility: You can always pay a 30-year mortgage like a 15-year mortgage (by paying extra), but you can't pay a 15-year like a 30-year if you lose your job.
Buying Power: A lower monthly payment helps you qualify for a more expensive home (though "can" doesn't mean "should").

Who Should Choose 15-Year?

You have a stable, high income.
You are getting a late start on retirement and need the house paid off before you retire.
You hate debt and want the guaranteed return of interest savings.

Who Should Choose 30-Year?

You are a first-time buyer stretching to afford a home.
You have high-interest debt (student loans, credit cards) to pay off first.
You are a disciplined investor who believes you can earn more in the stock market than the mortgage interest rate.

The Hybrid Approach

Get the 30-year loan for the flexibility, but pay it as if it were a 15-year loan.

Using the example above:

Sign up for the 30-year loan ($1,896/mo obligation).
Automate a payment of $2,500/mo.
If one month money is tight, scale back to $1,896 with no penalty.

Summary

The 15-year mortgage is mathematically superior, but the 30-year mortgage offers safety through flexibility. The best choice depends on your budget's wiggle room.

Compare both scenarios instantly with our Mortgage Payment Calculator.