US Finance Comparisons
Side-by-side breakdowns of the biggest US personal finance decisions — retirement accounts, mortgages, taxes, and insurance. All figures updated for 2026 IRS rules.
Retirement Accounts
Traditional 401(k) vs Roth 401(k)
A Traditional 401(k) reduces your taxable income today — you pay taxes on withdrawals in retirement. A Roth 401(k) uses …
Roth IRA vs Traditional IRA
Both IRAs share the same $7,000 contribution limit ($8,000 if 50+) for 2026. The Roth IRA offers tax-free withdrawals in…
401(k) vs Roth IRA
Fund your 401(k) at least up to the employer match first — that is a guaranteed 50%–100% instant return. Then, if you qu…
401(k) vs IRA: Contribution Strategy
Fund your 401(k) up to the full employer match first — this is a guaranteed 50%–100% return and cannot be replicated by …
Solo 401(k) vs SEP-IRA
For self-employed individuals with no employees, the Solo 401(k) almost always allows higher contributions than a SEP-IR…
Roth IRA vs Taxable Brokerage Account
A Roth IRA grows tax-free and qualified withdrawals are tax-free, but contributions are limited to $7,000/year and you c…
Mortgage & Home
15-Year vs 30-Year Mortgage
A 15-year mortgage has a higher monthly payment but typically carries a 0.5%–0.75% lower interest rate and saves tens of…
Fixed-Rate vs Adjustable-Rate Mortgage (ARM)
A fixed-rate mortgage locks in your interest rate for the life of the loan — your payment never changes regardless of ma…
Refinance vs Home Equity Loan
A cash-out refinance replaces your existing mortgage with a new, larger loan — you get the difference in cash. A home eq…
Tax & Benefits
HSA vs FSA
An HSA (Health Savings Account) is only available with a High-Deductible Health Plan and offers triple tax benefits: con…
Standard Deduction vs Itemized Deductions
The 2026 standard deduction is $15,000 for single filers and $30,000 for married filing jointly. Only about 10% of taxpa…
W-2 Employee vs 1099 Contractor Taxes
A 1099 contractor pays both the employer AND employee portions of Social Security and Medicare — 15.3% self-employment t…
Income & Planning
Social Security at 62 vs 67 vs 70
Claiming Social Security at 62 permanently reduces your benefit by up to 30% versus your Full Retirement Age (67 for tho…
IBR vs PAYE vs SAVE Student Loan Plans
SAVE (Saving on a Valuable Education) generally offers the lowest payments among current IDR plans — for undergraduate b…
Term Life vs Whole Life Insurance
Term life insurance is pure death-benefit coverage for a fixed period (10, 20, or 30 years) — it is far cheaper and is a…
About These Comparisons
These 15 comparison pages cover the most-searched US personal finance "vs" questions — collectively representing over 5 million monthly searches. Each page provides a quick answer for AI-assisted lookup, a detailed side-by-side table using 2026 IRS figures, a verdict section, and 5 FAQs.
Key 2026 figures used throughout: 401(k) limit $23,500, Roth IRA limit $7,000 (phase-out $150K–$165K single), HSA individual limit $4,300, standard deduction $15,000 (single) / $30,000 (married), SE tax Social Security wage base $176,100, Full Retirement Age 67 (born 1960+).
Top US Finance Questions
Should I choose a 401(k) or Roth IRA?
Contribute to your 401(k) up to the employer match first — that is free money. Then max your Roth IRA ($7,000 for 2026) for tax-free growth with no RMDs. Return to the 401(k) after that. Both accounts can be funded in the same year.
Is an HSA better than an FSA?
For most people with access to a High-Deductible Health Plan, yes. The HSA offers triple tax benefits, unlimited rollover, and investment options. The FSA is use-it-or-lose-it with no investment growth.
Should I get a 15-year or 30-year mortgage?
The 15-year mortgage saves $100,000–$300,000 in interest and typically carries a lower rate, but requires a much higher monthly payment. The 30-year provides flexibility. If you can comfortably afford the 15-year payment, it is the mathematically superior choice.
When should I claim Social Security — at 62, 67, or 70?
If you are in good health and can fund living expenses from other sources, waiting until 70 maximizes your lifetime benefit — you get 24% more than at Full Retirement Age (67). The break-even vs claiming at 62 is roughly age 80–82.
Is term life or whole life insurance better?
Term life is better for most families. A $1M 20-year term policy costs $55–$70/month for a healthy 35-year-old vs $700–$1,000/month for equivalent whole life. Invest the premium difference in index funds for better long-term wealth accumulation.