Cash vs invested calculator

The cost of sitting in cash.

Built and reviewed by Dovanic, Founder and editor, FreeByteLast reviewed: 2026-08-18

Amount

Cash rate

3.5%

Investment return

Years

Difference

$23,653

Invested

$80,386

Show in today's money

With these inputs, difference comes to $23,653 over 10 years. Invested works out to $80,386. The result assumes cash rate stays at 3.5%.

Over time · by years

Input	−10%	Now	+10%
Amount	$21,287	$23,653	$26,018
Cash rate	$25,599	$23,653	$21,638
Investment return	$18,247	$23,653	$29,445
Years	$20,182	$23,653	$27,446

Whatmakesequal

Save this set of inputs, change something, then save again to compare the outcomes side by side.

The cost of sitting in cash.

With the defaults above, difference works out at $23,653.