$25,000 CD vs. $25,000 high-yield savings vs. $25,000 money market account: Which earns the most in 2026?

MoneyWatch: Managing Your Money $25,000 CD vs. $25,000 high-yield savings vs. $25,000 money market account: Which earns the most in 2026? We may receive commissions from some links to products on this page. Promotions are subject to availability and retailer terms. .chip { background-image: url('/fly/bundles/cbsnewscore/images/chip-bgd/chip-bgd-moneywatch.jpg'); } By Matt Richardson Matt Richardson Sr. Managing Editor, Managing Your Money Matt Richardson is the senior managing editor for the Managing Your Money section for CBSNews.com. He writes and edits content about personal finance ranging from savings to investing to insurance. Read Full Bio Matt Richardson April 15, 2026 / 11:52 AM EDT / CBS News Add CBS News on Google The interest-earning potential varies when comparing CDs, high-yield savings and money market accounts. yaom/Getty Images When inflation rises, the purchasing power of the dollar erodes and economic conditions worsen. And, in March, it surged significantly. Now at 3.3%, the rate rose by almost a full percentage point in a single month, driven largely by geopolitical tensions, overseas conflicts and rising oil prices. But it's now higher than it's been in years, and that means savers, no matter how much they have in their accounts, should start seriously considering new homes for their money. And if they have a sizable amount, such as $25,000, kept in a traditional savings account (which comes with an average rate of just 0.39% currently), they're likely already overdue for a savings shift.Fortunately, there are still viable options to consider. And with inflation rising and the chances of an interest rate cut much lower now, there are high-rate accounts to consider in which savers can easily grow their money. With a $25,000 initial deposit, those earnings could be significant and relatively quick to access, too. But each account type has its own structure and pros and cons, so savers shouldn't rush to open a certificate of deposit (CD), high-yie...