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Today’s average mortgage rate on a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage is 6.85%, down 2.06% from the previous week, according to the Mortgage Research Center.
Borrowers may be able to save on interest costs by going with a 15-year fixed mortgage, which will typically have a lower rate than a 30-year, fixed-rate home loan. The average APR on a 15-year fixed mortgage is 5.91%. However, a 15-year mortgage means you are paying off the house in half the amount of time compared to a 30-year term, so your monthly payments will be higher.
If you want to refinance your existing mortgage, check out the average refinance rate.
30-Year Mortgage Rates Drop 2.06%
Borrowers will pay less in interest this week as the average rate on a 30-year mortgage is 6.85% compared to a rate of 6.99% a week ago.
The APR, which includes the interest and all of the lender fees, on a 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage is 6.88%. The APR was 7.02% last week.
To borrow a $100,000 in a 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage with the current rate of 6.85%, you will pay about $655 per month in principal and interest (taxes and fees not included), the Forbes Advisor mortgage calculator shows. You’d pay around $136,591 in total interest over the life of the loan.
15-Year Mortgage Rates Drop 3.14%
The average interest rate on a 15-year mortgage (fixed-rate) declined to 5.86%. This same time last week, the 15-year fixed-rate mortgage was at 6.05%.
On a 15-year fixed, the APR is 5.91%. Last week it was 6.1%.
At today’s interest rate of 5.86%, a 15-year fixed-rate mortgage would cost approximately $836 per month in principal and interest per $100,000. You would pay around $50,972 in total interest over the life of the loan.
Jumbo Mortgage Rates Climb 0.15%
The current average interest rate on a 30-year fixed-rate jumbo mortgage (a mortgage above 2025’s conforming loan limit of $806,500 in most areas) is 7.5%. Last week, the average rate was 7.49%.
If you lock in the latest rate on a 30-year, fixed-rate jumbo mortgage, you will pay $699 per month in principal and interest per $100,000 borrowed, which amounts to $152,161 in total interest over the life of the loan.
Trends in Mortgage Rates for 2025
Although mortgage rates mainly fell after reaching a high in spring 2024, they surged again in October 2024. This is despite the Federal Reserve’s cuts to the federal funds rate (its benchmark interest rate) in September, November and December 2024.
While rates have fallen somewhat since mid-January 2025, experts don’t expect them to drop significantly anytime soon.
When Will Mortgage Rates Go Down?
Mortgage rates are influenced by various economic factors, making it difficult to predict when they will drop.
Mortgage rates follow U.S. Treasury bond yields. When bond yields decrease, mortgage rates generally follow suit.
The Federal Reserve’s decisions and global events also play a key role in shaping mortgage rates. If inflation rises or the economy slows, the Fed may lower its federal funds rate. For example, during the Covid-19 pandemic, the Fed reduced rates, which drove interest rates to record lows.
A significant drop in mortgage rates seems unlikely in the near future. However, they may decline if inflation eases or the economy weakens.
How Much House Can I Afford?
The first step on your homebuying journey should be to calculate affordability. You’ll want to find out how much you can afford based on things like income, debt and savings.
Here are a few important factors that go into home affordability:
- Income
- Debt
- Debt-to-income ratio (DTI)
- Down payment
- Credit score
How Are Mortgage Rates Determined?
Multiple factors affect the interest rate for a mortgage, including the economy’s overall health, benchmark interest rates and borrower-specific factors.
The Federal Reserve’s rate decisions and inflation can influence rates to move higher or lower. Although the Fed raising rates doesn’t directly cause mortgage rates to rise, an increase to its benchmark interest rate makes it more expensive for banks to lend money to consumers. Conversely, rates tend to decrease during periods of rate cuts and cooling inflation.
Home buyers can make several moves to improve their finances and qualify for competitive rates. One is having a good or excellent credit score, which ranges from 670 to 850. Another is maintaining a debt-to-income (DTI) ratio below 43%, which implies less risk of being unable to afford the monthly mortgage payment.
Further, making a minimum 20% down payment can help you avoid private mortgage insurance (PMI) on conventional home loans. If you can afford the larger monthly payment, 15-year home loans have lower rates than a 30-year term.
What Type of Mortgage Is Best for You?
Many home buyers are eligible for several mortgage loan types. Each program can have its own advantages:
- Conventional mortgage. A conventional home loan is ideal for borrowers with good or excellent credit to qualify for competitive rates. Additionally, making a minimum 20% down payment helps you waive private mortgage insurance premiums.
- FHA loan. An FHA home loan is best when applying with imperfect credit or a low down payment. You can put as little as 3.5% down with a credit score above 580. A minimum 10% down payment is necessary for credit scores ranging from 500 to 579.
- VA loan. Borrowers with a qualifying military background may prefer a VA loan for its flexibility. A down payment may not be required. While you pay a one-time funding fee, there are no ongoing mortgage insurance premiums or service fees.
- USDA loan. Applicants in eligible rural areas can buy or build a home with no down payment, although an upfront and annual guarantee fee applies. Additionally, income requirements apply and this program requires a moderate income or lower.
- Jumbo loan. Homebuyers in a high-cost-of-living area will need to apply for a jumbo loan when the loan amount exceeds the Federal Housing Finance Agency’s conforming loan limits. The limit in most municipalities is $806,500 in 2025.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is a good mortgage rate?
A competitive mortgage rate currently ranges from 6% to 8% for a 30-year fixed loan. Several factors impact mortgage rates, including the repayment term, loan type and borrower’s credit score.
Will interest rates ever go back to 3%?
The Federal Reserve’s efforts to stabilize the economy during the Covid-19 pandemic drove the historically low rates. As the economy recovers, the unemployment rate decreases and inflation is controlled, rates may dip below current levels, but they’re unlikely to fall as low as 3% again anytime soon.
What’s the difference between a mortgage interest rate and a mortgage APR?
A mortgage interest rate reflects what a lender is charging you on top of your loan amount in return for allowing you to borrow money.
Annual percentage rate (APR), on the other hand, is a calculation that includes both a loan’s interest rate and finance charges, expressed as an annual cost over the life of the loan. In other words, it’s the total cost of credit. APR accounts for interest, fees and time.
Since APRs include both the interest rate and certain fees associated with a home loan, the APR can help you understand the total cost of a mortgage if you keep it for the entire term. The APR will usually be higher than the interest rate, but there are exceptions.