WiseCalc

Dollar-Cost Averaging Calculator

Compare monthly and upfront investing with the same initial budget at a constant effective annual return.

$
$0$10,000
%
-100%20%
years
0 years30 years

The return is an effective annual percentage, converted to a constant monthly growth factor. Deposits are added at the end of completed months. A final fractional month grows the existing balance but adds no partial deposit. Taxes, withdrawals and changing returns are excluded.

Both strategies use the same budget: monthly amount × completed months. The entire budget is assumed available at the start; cash waiting for monthly investment earns zero interest. The chart shows invested balances. This is a constant-return scenario, not a simulation of market volatility, share prices or quantities purchased; it does not identify the safer strategy.

Results

Completed monthly deposits: 120

Monthly Investment Final Value
$90,062.14
Upfront Investment Final Value
$129,535.50
Equal Funding Budget
$60,000.00
Total Gain / Contributions
50.10%
Total gain of the monthly strategy over the selected horizon divided by contributions; not an annualized return

Monthly vs Upfront Investment Value

Compare funding timing

The monthly strategy invests equal amounts at completed month ends. The upfront strategy invests the same total budget at the start. Both assume that the entire budget is initially available and waiting cash earns no interest.

Read the projection correctly

The entered return is an effective annual scenario converted to a constant monthly factor. A final fractional month grows invested balances without adding a partial deposit. Charts show invested balances, excluding waiting cash.

Model limitations

This comparison does not simulate market volatility, share prices, quantities purchased or average purchase cost. It does not identify a safer strategy or guarantee returns. Taxes, withdrawals and changing returns are excluded.