$45,000 CD vs. $45,000 high-yield savings account: Which can earn more over the next year?

Interest earnings on your $45,000 will grow differently depending on which account it's stored in. NANCY PAUWELS/Getty Images Whether you have a large, round amount of money saved in your account, such as $40,000 or $50,000 , or a less traditional amount like $45,000, it's paramount that you're able to both protect it and grow it effectively. That's especially true in today's economic climate, in which inflation just rose to its highest point in more than three years and interest rates are frozen at an elevated level. Interest rate hikes, which seemed highly unlikely at the start of 2026, are now possible again. Against this backdrop, where you store your $45,000 has taken on new and timely importance. There are multiple savings accounts to consider for this money, with two primary ones worth serious contemplation: a certificate of deposit (CD) and a high-yield savings account . Both have interest rates around 4% right now, and both are FDIC-insured up to $250,000 per account, providing ample protection for your $45,000. That said, the interest-earning potential of each may be similar, but it won't be identical, considering that the CD has a fixed interest rate and the high-yield savings account has a variable one. Before opening either account, it helps to know how much interest you stand to earn with each over the next 12 months. Below, we'll break down the returns that savers will want to know before getting started. …