High-Yield Savings Rates
The gap between a big-bank savings account and a high-yield account can be 4 percentage points or more. This page shows typical rates, projects your growth, and lets you download the data.
High-yield savings accounts at online banks typically pay far more than traditional big-bank savings accounts, often by several percentage points, because online banks have lower overhead. Rates are variable and move with the Federal Reserve's benchmark rate, so any published rate can change at any time. Deposits at FDIC-insured banks are protected up to $250,000 per depositor, per bank, per ownership category (fdic.gov). Interest earned is taxable as ordinary income. Example: $10,000 at 4.25% APY with $200 monthly contributions grows to about $25,700 after 5 years with monthly compounding.
Data current as of October 2026. Rate ranges are an illustrative snapshot; banks change rates frequently, so verify the current APY on each bank's site. FDIC coverage per fdic.gov.
How the math worked
This is an estimate for planning only, not financial advice. APYs are variable and change frequently; the rate you earn will differ from any snapshot. Verify current rates and FDIC membership on each bank's site before opening an account.
Why high-yield savings accounts pay so much more
A high-yield savings account is an ordinary savings account with an extraordinary interest rate, and the reason is cost structure. Online banks have no branch networks, so they pass the savings to depositors as higher annual percentage yields. The spread is dramatic: traditional big-bank savings accounts commonly pay around 0.01% to 0.25% APY, while online high-yield accounts have recently paid 4% or more. On a $10,000 balance, that is the difference between a few dollars a year and several hundred.
Three facts keep the decision simple. First, the rate is variable. Banks can change the APY at any time, and they generally follow the Federal Reserve's benchmark rate up and down, so today's top rate is not a promise. Second, the safety is identical at any FDIC-insured bank: deposits are insured up to $250,000 per depositor, per bank, per ownership category, whether the bank has branches or operates entirely online. Third, the interest is taxable as ordinary income in the year it is credited, and banks send a 1099-INT when you earn $10 or more.
Typical APY ranges by account type (illustrative snapshot, October 2026)
The table below shows typical rate ranges by account type. These are illustrative, not live quotes: banks reprice frequently, so verify the current APY before you move money.
| Account type | Typical APY range | Liquidity | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Big national bank savings | 0.01% - 0.25% | Same-day | Branch access, existing relationships |
| Online high-yield savings | 4.00% - 5.00% | 1-3 day transfers | Emergency funds, short-term goals |
| Credit union savings | 0.50% - 3.00% | Same-day | Member perks, local service |
| Money market account | 3.50% - 4.75% | Check-writing, debit card | Frequent access with yield |
| 12-month CD | 4.00% - 4.75% | Locked 12 months | Money you will not touch |
Download the rate snapshot table as CSV
Illustrative ranges, October 2026. Verify current APYs on each bank's site; rates change frequently.
Learn more about high-yield savings
- Best High-Yield Savings Account Rates in 2026
- HYSA vs CD vs Money Market: Compared
- Are Online Banks Safe? FDIC Insurance Explained
- How Often Do HYSA Rates Change?
- Are HYSA Earnings Taxed?