HELOC Rates Today (March 2026): Current Home Equity Line Rates
By Wealthvieu
·
Updated
Track current HELOC rates and understand how to get the best rate on your home equity line of credit.
Current HELOC Rates
Rates as of March 2026. Updated weekly.
| Credit Score |
Current Rate |
Rate Type |
| 760+ |
8.00% |
Variable |
| 720-759 |
8.50% |
Variable |
| 680-719 |
9.00% |
Variable |
| 660-679 |
9.50% |
Variable |
| 620-659 |
10.00%+ |
Variable |
Current Prime Rate: 8.50%
Typical HELOC Formula: Prime - 0.50% to Prime + 1.50%
HELOC Rate Components
| Component |
Current Value |
| Prime Rate |
8.50% |
| Margin (lender add-on) |
-0.50% to +1.50% |
| Your HELOC Rate |
8.00% - 10.00% |
How Your Rate Is Calculated
Your HELOC rate = Prime Rate + Margin
| Example |
Calculation |
Rate |
| Best case |
8.50% - 0.50% |
8.00% |
| Average |
8.50% + 0.25% |
8.75% |
| Higher risk |
8.50% + 1.50% |
10.00% |
HELOC Rates by Lender Type
| Lender Type |
Typical Rate |
Pros |
Cons |
| Credit Unions |
8.00-8.75% |
Lowest rates, low fees |
Membership required |
| Online Lenders |
8.25-9.00% |
Convenient, competitive |
Less personal service |
| National Banks |
8.50-9.50% |
Convenience |
Often higher rates |
| Regional Banks |
8.25-9.25% |
Relationship discounts |
Limited availability |
HELOC vs Home Equity Loan Rates
| Feature |
HELOC |
Home Equity Loan |
| Current Rate |
8.00-10.00% |
8.25-9.50% |
| Rate Type |
Usually variable |
Usually fixed |
| Borrowing |
Draw as needed |
Lump sum |
| Payment |
Interest-only option |
P&I from start |
| Best For |
Ongoing needs |
One-time expense |
How Much Can You Borrow?
Most lenders allow 80-85% combined LTV (loan-to-value):
| Home Value |
Mortgage Balance |
Available Equity (80% LTV) |
| $400,000 |
$250,000 |
$70,000 |
| $500,000 |
$300,000 |
$100,000 |
| $600,000 |
$350,000 |
$130,000 |
| $750,000 |
$400,000 |
$200,000 |
| $1,000,000 |
$500,000 |
$300,000 |
Formula: (Home Value × 80%) - Mortgage Balance = Available HELOC
Monthly Payment Examples
Interest-only payments during draw period:
| Amount Borrowed |
Rate |
Monthly Interest |
| $25,000 |
8.50% |
$177 |
| $50,000 |
8.50% |
$354 |
| $75,000 |
8.50% |
$531 |
| $100,000 |
8.50% |
$708 |
| $150,000 |
8.50% |
$1,063 |
During repayment period (P&I, 15-year term):
| Amount |
Rate |
Monthly P&I |
| $50,000 |
8.50% |
$492 |
| $75,000 |
8.50% |
$739 |
| $100,000 |
8.50% |
$985 |
HELOC Rate Factors
| Factor |
Impact on Rate |
| Credit score |
±0.50-1.50% |
| Loan-to-value |
Lower LTV = lower rate |
| Debt-to-income |
Lower DTI = lower rate |
| Property type |
Primary residence best |
| Draw amount |
Higher draws may get better rates |
| Autopay discount |
-0.25% to -0.50% |
Prime Rate History (Affects HELOC Rates)
| Date |
Prime Rate |
Typical HELOC Rate |
| March 2026 |
8.50% |
8.50-9.50% |
| December 2025 |
8.50% |
8.50-9.50% |
| June 2025 |
8.25% |
8.25-9.25% |
| December 2024 |
8.50% |
8.50-9.50% |
| June 2024 |
8.50% |
8.50-9.50% |
| December 2023 |
8.50% |
8.50-9.50% |
| December 2022 |
7.50% |
7.50-8.50% |
| December 2021 |
3.25% |
3.25-4.25% |
HELOC Terms to Understand
| Term |
Typical |
What It Means |
| Draw period |
5-10 years |
When you can borrow |
| Repayment period |
10-20 years |
When you must repay |
| Interest-only |
Draw period |
Pay only interest, not principal |
| Variable rate |
Standard |
Rate changes with prime |
| Rate cap |
Varies |
Maximum rate increase |
| Minimum draw |
$0-$10,000 |
Minimum to borrow at once |
Getting the Best HELOC Rate
Before You Apply
| Action |
Potential Benefit |
| Boost credit to 760+ |
0.50-1.00% lower rate |
| Lower DTI |
Better approval, lower rate |
| Increase home equity |
Better LTV ratio |
| Pay down first mortgage |
More available equity |
| Strategy |
Savings |
| Compare 3-5 lenders |
Find lowest margin |
| Check credit unions |
Often best rates |
| Ask about discounts |
Autopay, relationship |
| Negotiate fees |
Many waive closing costs |
| Look for intro rates |
Some offer fixed intro period |
HELOC Fees to Watch
| Fee |
Typical Cost |
Can Negotiate? |
| Application fee |
$0-$100 |
Yes |
| Appraisal |
$300-$500 |
Limited |
| Origination |
$0-$500 |
Yes |
| Annual fee |
$0-$100 |
Yes |
| Closing costs |
$0-$2,000 |
Yes |
| Early termination |
$250-$500 |
Ask |
Many lenders offer no-closing-cost HELOCs
Fixed-Rate HELOC Options
Some lenders offer fixed-rate conversion:
| Feature |
Details |
| How it works |
Convert portion of balance to fixed rate |
| Rate premium |
0.50-1.00% higher than variable |
| Best for |
Large, predictable expenses |
| Example |
Lock $50K at 9.00% fixed while rest stays variable |
HELOC Rate Outlook
| Factor |
Impact on Future Rates |
| Federal Reserve policy |
Most direct impact |
| Inflation trends |
Affects Fed decisions |
| Economic growth |
Stronger = higher rates |
| Housing market |
Affects lender risk appetite |
Current outlook: Rates expected to remain relatively stable in 2026 with modest potential for decreases if inflation continues declining.
Qualification Requirements
| Requirement |
Typical Minimum |
| Credit score |
620 (680+ for best rates) |
| Home equity |
15-20% |
| Debt-to-income |
Under 43% |
| Income proof |
Documented, stable |
| Property type |
Primary residence |
Related: HELOC Guide | Home Equity Loan Rates | Home Equity Calculator