Here's How Much $20,000 Earns You in a Savings Account (2024)

The right savings account is a must to get the most from your money.

Since last year, there have been several interest rate hikes. While savings accounts previously offered barely anything, that's no longer the case. Many of the best savings accounts now have APYs from about 3.5% to over 5%.

However, not all banks offer anywhere near that much. For example, if you stick with a big bank, odds are you'll earn a significantly lower interest rate. Some of them offer as little as 0.01%.

It's a smart move to earn as much interest as possible, but it's even more important when you have a large amount of savings. To demonstrate that, let's look at how much $20,000 in savings will grow, depending on the account you choose.

How much $20,000 earns you in a savings account

Savings account APYs (annual percentage yields) vary quite a bit. The table below shows how much you'd earn in one year depending on your account's APY. It compares APYs of 0.01%, since that's what some big banks offer, the current national average of 0.35%, and a few rates available right now through high-yield savings accounts.

APYInterest earned in one year
0.01%$2
0.35%$70
3.50%$700
4.00%$800
4.50%$900
4.75%$950
5.00%$1000

Data source: Author's calculations.

There's no arguing that you lose a lot of money if you keep your savings in the wrong place. You're looking at a difference of several 1,000s between the top savings accounts and those with a subpar to even an average APY.

Why do savings account rates differ so much?

The primary reason why some savings accounts have much higher interest rates is because they're offered by online banks. These banks usually don't have branches you can visit, which saves them money on overhead costs. Banking locations and the staff to run them aren't cheap. Because online banks save in this area, they can pay more interest than brick-and-mortar banks.

Online banks also need to offer those competitive rates to attract and retain customers. Big banks already have established brands and massive customer bases, so they don't need to compete on interest.

This means in-person banking normally isn't an option if you want a high interest rate. Some high-yield savings accounts also don't offer a debit card. You may need to transfer your money to a checking account first to withdraw it. While this isn't always convenient, it's not a huge drawback. After all, savings accounts are designed for storing your savings, not moving money back and forth.

How to maximize your savings

If you don't have a high-yield savings account already, it makes sense to open one. You'll earn much more interest, and there's no downside. Online banks are just as safe, as they offer the same FDIC insurance as the big banks. That covers up to $250,000 per account in the event of bank failure.

There are plenty of high-yield accounts to choose from. While APY is one of the most important features, also look at minimum deposit requirements. Not all accounts have these, but some require a minimum balance to earn the APY. Check for monthly maintenance fees, as well. Most of the top online banks don't charge these, but it's still good to double check.

Once you've found an account you like, you can sign up online. You'll need to provide your address, Social Security number, and possibly a scan of your government-issued ID. The process of opening a bank account online is usually quick and easy. After that, transfer over your savings to start earning interest.

These savings accounts are FDIC insured and could earn you 11x your bank

Many people are missing out on guaranteed returns as their money languishes in a big bank savings account earning next to no interest. Our picks of the best online savings accounts could earn you 11x the national average savings account rate. Click here to uncover the best-in-class accounts that landed a spot on our short list of the best savings accounts for 2024.

Here's How Much $20,000 Earns You in a Savings Account (2024)

FAQs

Here's How Much $20,000 Earns You in a Savings Account? ›

Having $20,000 in a savings account is a good starting point if you want to create a sizable emergency fund. When the occasional rainy day comes along, you'll be financially prepared for it. Of course, $20,000 may only go so far if you find yourself in an extreme situation.

Is $20,000 dollars in savings good? ›

Having $20,000 in a savings account is a good starting point if you want to create a sizable emergency fund. When the occasional rainy day comes along, you'll be financially prepared for it. Of course, $20,000 may only go so far if you find yourself in an extreme situation.

How much will $10,000 make in a high-yield savings account? ›

The magic of high yields for your cash

Your savings account could generate hundreds or even thousands of dollars a year in earnings. Here are a few examples: $10,000 in a 5% savings account becomes $10,511 in 12 months. $20,000 in a 5% savings account becomes $21,023 in 12 months.

What happens if you put 20k in a high-yield savings account? ›

By keeping your extra savings in a high-yield savings account, you may be able to earn more interest. If you keep $20,000 in a high-yield savings account for one year at 4.50% APY, you can make $900 from interest. The longer you allow your savings to sit in your account, the more interest you'll earn.

How much will $10,000 make in a money market account? ›

The average money market rate is less than 1 percent. But let's say you put $10,000 in an account that earns a full 1% APY. After a year, your balance would earn 100 bucks. Put that same amount in a money market account with a 4% APY, and it would gain just over $400.

How to double 20k quickly? ›

The Best Ways To Double $20,000
  1. Invest In Real Estate. One of the best ways to double 20,000 dollars is to invest in income-generating real estate. ...
  2. Start An Online Business. ...
  3. Invest In Stocks & ETFs. ...
  4. Invest In Small Businesses. ...
  5. Start A Service-Based Business. ...
  6. Try Crypto Investing. ...
  7. Retail Arbitrage. ...
  8. Lend Out Your Money.

What is considered rich in savings? ›

Someone who has $1 million in liquid assets, for instance, is usually considered to be a high net worth (HNW) individual. You might need $5 million to $10 million to qualify as having a very high net worth while it may take $30 million or more to be considered ultra-high net worth.

Can you ever lose your money with high-yield savings account? ›

You can't lose your money because, just like your regular checking and savings accounts, the money is insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation up to $250,000.

Can you live off of a high-yield savings account? ›

It's possible, but it isn't realistic for everyone. Living off of interest relies on having a large enough balance invested that your regular interest earnings meet your salary needs. Rest assured that you don't need to earn a million dollar paycheck to reach your goal.

Do millionaires use high-yield savings accounts? ›

Millionaires Like High-Yield Savings, but Not as Much as Other Accounts. Usually offering significantly more interest than a traditional savings account, high-yield savings accounts have blown up in popularity among everyone, including millionaires.

How much will 50000 make in a high-yield savings account? ›

5.5% APY: Choosing a 5.5% CD or high-yield savings account will result in $2,750 in interest on your $50,000 investment annually. 5.75% APY: A 5.75% CD or high-yield savings account will earn you $2,875 in interest in one year.

Is it worth putting money into a high-yield savings account? ›

Not the best choice for long-term savings – High-yield savings accounts offer much better interest rates than traditional savings accounts, but often, you won't earn enough over the long-term to account for inflation. Investments may be a better option for a longer-term, greater yield.

Should I move all my money to a high-yield savings account? ›

Although each financial situation is unique, it doesn't typically make sense for you to keep all of your money in a high-yield savings account. After all, most high-yield savings accounts limit withdrawals to only six per month, so a checking account is typically a better place to store your spending cash.

How much interest does $20,000 earn in a year? ›

How much $20,000 earns you in a savings account
APYInterest earned in one year
3.50%$700
4.00%$800
4.50%$900
4.75%$950
3 more rows
Mar 31, 2023

How much will $5000 make in a high yield savings account? ›

Shopping around for a top APY means you can earn 10 to 12 times more than the national average rate, which is less than half a percent. $5,000 in one of today's best high-yield savings accounts could earn as much as $136 in just six months—compared to about $11 with an average rate.

Where can I get 7% interest on my money? ›

7% Interest Savings Accounts: What You Need To Know
  • As of May 2024, no banks are offering 7% interest rates on savings accounts.
  • Two credit unions have high-interest checking accounts: Landmark Credit Union Premium Checking with 7.50% APY and OnPath Credit Union High Yield Checking with 7.00% APY.

Is 20K in savings good at 30? ›

If you're looking for a ballpark figure, Taylor Kovar, certified financial planner and CEO of Kovar Wealth Management says, “By age 30, a good rule of thumb is to aim to have saved the equivalent of your annual salary. Let's say you're earning $50,000 a year. By 30, it would be beneficial to have $50,000 saved.

Is $20,000 a big enough emergency fund? ›

While $20,000 may be more than what many Americans have in savings, it's not guaranteed to be an adequate emergency fund for you. Your emergency fund should be set up to cover at least three full months of essential bills. If your monthly expenses are high, you may need to save more than $20,000.

Is $25,000 in savings good? ›

The median saver has closer to $5,000 in the bank. So if you have $25,000 saved, you're on the good side of the middle by a comfortable margin. That's a lot of cash to leverage — but also a lot to protect. Here's how to utilize, preserve and grow the impressive financial cushion you've built.

How long does it take to save 20 000 dollars? ›

How long will it take to save?
Savings GoalIf You Saved $200/monthIf You Saved $400/month
$20,000100 months50 months
$30,000150 months75 months
$40,000200 months100 months
$50,000250 months125 months
7 more rows

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