A new report calculates the cost of war per household.

What will $20,000 get you these days? A modest down payment on a home? A year of college tuition? A war?

Besides the loss of precious human life, war is costing the average American family of four roughly $20,900 says a Joint Economic Committee report. And if the U.S. continues sparring with other nations that figure could double in the years to come. That's a huge chunk of change.

To put things in perspective, here's what an extra 20K could buy:

• Three years of food (based on a $6,000 a year average).
• Seven years of healthcare (based on a $2,664 a year average).
• One 2007 Toyota Prius.
• A one room addition to a house.
• One year of private school tution for two children.

No matter where you stand politically, numbers don’t lie. War is costly, and with many Americans struggling to make ends meet, it seems our hard earned dollars could be better spent at home. What do you think?