Average Interest Rates by Loan Type (2026): Mortgages, Auto, Student, Personal
By Wealthvieu
·
Updated
Interest rates vary hugely by loan type, credit score, and term. Here’s what you should actually expect to pay in 2026 — and how to get the best rate.
Table of Contents
Average Interest Rates by Loan Type
| Loan Type |
Average Rate |
Rate Range |
Typical Term |
| 30-year fixed mortgage |
6.50% |
5.75-7.25% |
30 years |
| 15-year fixed mortgage |
5.80% |
5.25-6.50% |
15 years |
| 5/1 ARM mortgage |
6.00% |
5.50-6.75% |
5 years fixed, then adjustable |
| FHA mortgage |
6.25% |
5.75-7.00% |
30 years |
| VA mortgage |
6.10% |
5.50-6.75% |
30 years |
| Jumbo mortgage ($766,550+) |
6.75% |
6.00-7.50% |
30 years |
| HELOC |
8.50% |
7.50-12.00% |
10-year draw, 20-year repay |
| Home equity loan |
8.25% |
7.00-11.00% |
5-30 years |
| Auto loan (new car) |
7.00% |
4.50-12.00% |
3-7 years |
| Auto loan (used car) |
8.50% |
5.50-15.00% |
3-6 years |
| Federal student loan (undergrad) |
6.53% |
Fixed |
10-25 years |
| Federal student loan (grad) |
8.08% |
Fixed |
10-25 years |
| Federal PLUS loan (parent) |
9.08% |
Fixed |
10-25 years |
| Private student loan |
4.50-16.00% |
Variable: 4.50-14% |
5-20 years |
| Personal loan |
12.50% |
7.00-36.00% |
2-7 years |
| Credit card |
22.00% |
16.00-29.99% |
Revolving |
| Credit card (store) |
28.00% |
25.00-32.00% |
Revolving |
| 401(k) loan |
~Prime + 1% (9.5%) |
To yourself |
1-5 years |
| Payday loan |
400%+ APR |
300-600%+ APR |
2 weeks |
| Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) |
0-36% |
0% or 24-36% |
4-48 payments |
Interest Rates by Credit Score
Mortgage Rates (30-Year Fixed)
| Credit Score |
Average Rate |
Monthly Payment ($336K) |
Total Interest (30 yr) |
| 760-850 |
6.05% |
$2,027 |
$394,706 |
| 700-759 |
6.27% |
$2,078 |
$412,086 |
| 680-699 |
6.45% |
$2,120 |
$427,156 |
| 660-679 |
6.66% |
$2,168 |
$444,561 |
| 640-659 |
7.09% |
$2,268 |
$480,486 |
| 620-639 |
7.64% |
$2,398 |
$527,230 |
Difference: A 620 score costs $132,524 more than a 760 score on the same mortgage.
Auto Loan Rates (New Car, 60-Month Term)
| Credit Score |
Average Rate |
Monthly Payment ($35K) |
Total Interest |
| 750+ (Super prime) |
5.00% |
$661 |
$4,636 |
| 700-749 (Prime) |
6.50% |
$685 |
$6,085 |
| 650-699 (Near prime) |
9.00% |
$727 |
$8,596 |
| 600-649 (Subprime) |
12.50% |
$789 |
$12,335 |
| 500-599 (Deep subprime) |
17.00% |
$860 |
$16,632 |
Personal Loan Rates
| Credit Score |
Average Rate |
Monthly Payment ($15K, 5-yr) |
Total Interest |
| 760+ |
8.50% |
$308 |
$3,468 |
| 720-759 |
11.00% |
$327 |
$4,594 |
| 680-719 |
15.00% |
$357 |
$6,411 |
| 640-679 |
21.00% |
$407 |
$9,425 |
| 580-639 |
28.00% |
$462 |
$12,687 |
Historical Context: Where Rates Have Been
| Loan Type |
2019 |
2021 (Low Point) |
2023 (High) |
2026 (Current) |
| 30-year mortgage |
3.94% |
2.65% |
7.79% |
6.50% |
| Auto loan (new) |
5.27% |
4.12% |
7.62% |
7.00% |
| Credit card |
17.14% |
16.28% |
22.75% |
22.00% |
| Personal loan |
10.63% |
9.34% |
12.49% |
12.50% |
| Federal funds rate |
1.50-1.75% |
0.00-0.25% |
5.25-5.50% |
4.25-4.50% |
Total Cost of Debt by Type
How much total interest you pay over the life of common loans:
| Debt |
Amount |
Rate |
Term |
Total Interest |
Total Paid |
| Mortgage |
$336,000 |
6.50% |
30 years |
$428,000 |
$764,000 |
| Auto loan |
$35,000 |
7.00% |
5 years |
$6,440 |
$41,440 |
| Student loan |
$37,000 |
6.53% |
10 years |
$13,300 |
$50,300 |
| Personal loan |
$15,000 |
12.50% |
5 years |
$5,225 |
$20,225 |
| Credit card |
$10,000 |
22.00% |
Min payments |
$13,060 |
$23,060 |
How to Get the Best Interest Rate
| Strategy |
Potential Savings |
Effort |
| Improve credit score to 760+ |
Save 1-2% on all loans |
6-12 months |
| Shop multiple lenders (3-5 quotes) |
Save 0.5-1.0% |
1-2 weeks |
| Choose shorter loan terms |
Save 0.5-1.5% rate reduction |
Higher monthly payment |
| Make larger down payment (20%+) |
Avoid PMI + lower rate |
Requires more cash |
| Consider credit unions |
Often 0.25-0.5% lower rates |
Join a CU |
| Pay discount points on mortgage |
0.25% rate reduction per point |
~$3,360 per point |
| Use autopay (personal/student loans) |
0.25-0.50% discount |
2 minutes to set up |
| Negotiate with current lender |
Rate match or retention offer |
One phone call |
| Refinance when rates drop |
Save based on rate decrease |
Closing costs apply |
Related: Average American Debt | Debt Payoff Strategies | What Is a Good Credit Score | Mortgage Payment Calculator | Personal Loan vs Credit Card
