OzCalc
HomeLast reviewed 2026-08-19

Borrowing comparison calculator

Compare two amortising loans on monthly repayment, total interest and total cost.

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What the result means

The cheaper monthly repayment is not always the cheaper loan. A shorter term costs more each month and usually less interest overall.

How it is calculated

Compare PMT and PMT × n for each loan using the standard amortising formula
  • n: Number of monthly payments in each term.

Each loan is priced independently. The headline names whichever has the lower total repaid.

Assumptions

  • Estimates only — not tax, legal, credit or financial advice. Check the official source or your contract before relying on a figure.
  • Same principal, fixed rates, no fees.

Worked example

30 years at 5.8% versus 25 years at 5.5%

Same $680,000 principal.

Look at monthly
The shorter term usually costs more per month
Look at total
The shorter, cheaper-rate loan often wins on total interest

Pick the metric you can actually pay: cashflow versus lifetime interest.

Features still matter

Offset, redraw, package fees and fixed-rate break costs can outweigh a 0.1% rate gap. This comparison is interest and principal only.

Questions

Should I include LMI?

Not here. Lenders mortgage insurance is a separate upfront or capitalised cost. Use the LVR calculator first.

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Sources

Home · Last reviewed 2026-08-19

Estimates only. Not tax, legal or financial advice. Check official sources before relying on a figure.