Track current 30-year fixed mortgage rates and understand what determines your personal rate.
Current 30-Year Mortgage Rates
Rates as of March 2026. Updated daily.
| Loan Type | Rate | APR | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30-Year Fixed | 6.875% | 6.95% | 0.5 |
| 30-Year Fixed (Conforming) | 6.75% | 6.82% | 0.3 |
| 30-Year Fixed (Jumbo) | 7.125% | 7.18% | 0.4 |
| 30-Year Fixed (FHA) | 6.50% | 7.15%* | 0.0 |
| 30-Year Fixed (VA) | 6.25% | 6.45% | 0.0 |
*FHA APR includes mortgage insurance premium
30-Year Rates by Credit Score
| Credit Score | Rate Range | Monthly Payment ($400K loan)* |
|---|---|---|
| 760+ (Excellent) | 6.50-6.75% | $2,528-$2,594 |
| 700-759 (Good) | 6.75-7.00% | $2,594-$2,661 |
| 680-699 (Fair) | 7.00-7.25% | $2,661-$2,729 |
| 660-679 | 7.25-7.50% | $2,729-$2,797 |
| 620-659 | 7.50-8.00% | $2,797-$2,935 |
| Below 620 | 8.00%+ or denied | $2,935+ |
*Principal and interest only, 20% down
Rate Impact Calculator
How rate differences affect your payment on a $400,000 home (20% down = $320K loan):
| Rate | Monthly P&I | Total Interest (30 years) |
|---|---|---|
| 6.00% | $1,919 | $370,726 |
| 6.50% | $2,023 | $408,097 |
| 7.00% | $2,129 | $446,627 |
| 7.50% | $2,238 | $486,280 |
| 8.00% | $2,348 | $527,015 |
Key insight: Each 0.5% rate increase adds ~$110/month and ~$40,000 in total interest.
30-Year Rate Trends
Historical Averages
| Period | Average Rate |
|---|---|
| March 2026 | 6.875% |
| 2025 Average | 6.95% |
| 2024 Average | 6.84% |
| 2023 Average | 6.81% |
| 2022 Average | 5.34% |
| 2021 Average | 2.96% |
| 2020 Average | 3.11% |
| 10-Year Average | 4.52% |
| 30-Year Average | 5.89% |
| All-Time Low | 2.65% (Jan 2021) |
| All-Time High | 18.63% (Oct 1981) |
Factors That Determine Your Rate
| Factor | Impact | What You Can Control |
|---|---|---|
| Credit Score | ±1.5% swing | Yes - improve before applying |
| Down Payment | 0.25-0.5% better with 20%+ | Yes - save more |
| Loan-to-Value | Lower LTV = lower rate | Yes - larger down payment |
| Debt-to-Income | High DTI = higher rate | Yes - pay down debt |
| Property Type | SFH best, condo/multi worse | Somewhat |
| Occupancy | Primary best, investment worst | Yes |
| Loan Amount | Conforming vs jumbo | Somewhat |
| Points Paid | Each point ≈ 0.25% reduction | Yes |
30-Year vs 15-Year Comparison
$400,000 home, 20% down ($320K loan):
| Feature | 30-Year | 15-Year |
|---|---|---|
| Rate | 6.875% | 6.125% |
| Monthly Payment | $2,101 | $2,738 |
| Total Interest | $436,395 | $172,826 |
| Interest Savings | — | $263,569 |
| Monthly Difference | — | +$637 |
When 30-year makes sense:
- Need lower monthly payments
- Want to invest the difference
- Uncertain income future
- Plan to move within 10 years
When 15-year makes sense:
- Can afford higher payments
- Want to be mortgage-free faster
- Close to retirement
- Want forced savings discipline
How to Get the Best 30-Year Rate
Before You Apply
| Action | Potential Savings |
|---|---|
| Boost credit score to 760+ | 0.25-0.50% lower rate |
| Pay down debt (lower DTI) | 0.125-0.25% lower |
| Save for 20% down | 0.25% + no PMI |
| Avoid new credit inquiries | Protects score |
When Shopping
| Strategy | Details |
|---|---|
| Compare 3-5 lenders | Rates vary 0.5%+ between lenders |
| Get quotes same day | Rates change daily |
| Compare APR, not just rate | Includes all costs |
| Negotiate fees | Origination fees are negotiable |
| Consider points | 1 point = ~0.25% rate reduction |
Lender Types
| Lender Type | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Big Banks | Convenience, multiple products | Often higher rates |
| Credit Unions | Lower rates, fewer fees | Membership required |
| Mortgage Brokers | Shop multiple lenders | Broker fee |
| Online Lenders | Competitive rates, fast | Less personal service |
Points: Buy Down Your Rate?
$320,000 loan, 30-year term:
| Points | Cost | Rate | Monthly Payment | Breakeven |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | $0 | 7.00% | $2,129 | — |
| 1 | $3,200 | 6.75% | $2,076 | 5 years |
| 2 | $6,400 | 6.50% | $2,023 | 5 years |
| 3 | $9,600 | 6.25% | $1,971 | 5 years |
Buy points if: Staying 7+ years, can afford upfront cost Skip points if: Moving within 5 years, need cash for down payment
Monthly Payment Examples
By Home Price (20% down, 7% rate)
| Home Price | Down Payment | Loan | Monthly P&I |
|---|---|---|---|
| $300,000 | $60,000 | $240,000 | $1,597 |
| $400,000 | $80,000 | $320,000 | $2,129 |
| $500,000 | $100,000 | $400,000 | $2,661 |
| $600,000 | $120,000 | $480,000 | $3,194 |
| $750,000 | $150,000 | $600,000 | $3,992 |
By Down Payment ($400K home, 7% rate)
| Down Payment | Loan Amount | Monthly P&I | PMI | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3% ($12K) | $388,000 | $2,581 | $260 | $2,841 |
| 5% ($20K) | $380,000 | $2,528 | $220 | $2,748 |
| 10% ($40K) | $360,000 | $2,395 | $150 | $2,545 |
| 20% ($80K) | $320,000 | $2,129 | $0 | $2,129 |
Rate Lock Strategies
| Lock Period | Typical Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| 30 days | Free/Lowest | Ready to close |
| 45 days | +0.125% | Standard purchase |
| 60 days | +0.25% | New construction |
| Float down option | +0.125-0.25% | Uncertain rate direction |
When to lock:
- Rates trending up
- You’ve found the home
- Closing date is set
- Monthly payment is affordable
Related: 15-Year Mortgage Rates | Mortgage Calculator | How Much House Can I Afford?