What Are Current Mortgage Rates in 2026?
Mortgage rates in 2026 remain elevated compared to the historic lows of 2020–2021, though they have moderated from their 2023 peaks. The average 30-year fixed mortgage rate is currently in the 6.5%–7.0% range for well-qualified borrowers.
Average Rates by Loan Type (2026)
| Loan Type | Avg Rate |
|---|---|
| 30-year fixed | 6.75% |
| 15-year fixed | 6.10% |
| 20-year fixed | 6.40% |
| 5/1 ARM | 6.20% |
| FHA 30-year | 6.50% |
| VA 30-year | 6.25% |
| Jumbo 30-year | 6.90% |
Rates shown are national averages for well-qualified borrowers. Your rate will vary based on credit score, loan-to-value ratio, loan type, and lender.
How Much House Can I Afford?
The standard rule is to keep your total monthly housing costs — including principal, interest, taxes, and insurance (PITI) — below 28% of your gross monthly income. Your total debt payments should stay below 36%.
Affordability by Income (2026)
| Annual Income | Max Home Price* |
|---|---|
| $60,000 | ~$210,000 |
| $80,000 | ~$280,000 |
| $100,000 | ~$350,000 |
| $125,000 | ~$440,000 |
| $150,000 | ~$525,000 |
| $200,000 | ~$700,000 |
*Assumes 20% down, 6.75% rate, 30-year term, and no other significant debt. Actual affordability varies by debt load, location, and lender.
Frequently Asked Questions
Mortgage Guide by State
Property taxes, closing and transfer taxes, and first-time-buyer programs change from one state to the next. Each guide is sourced to the state's housing finance agency and tax authority. Start with yours:
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Washington, D.C.
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Compare Loan Types
Which loan fits depends on your down payment, credit, and where you're buying. Plain-language guides with the 2026 limits and fees:
Mortgage Guides
How to figure your real monthly payment in the situations basic calculators miss — and how to lower it.
- How much house can I afford?
- 15-year vs 30-year mortgage
- Payment with property taxes & insurance (PITI)
- Lower your payment without refinancing
- HOA fees & Mello-Roos taxes
- Buying a home with a solar panel loan
- Gift of equity on a parent's house
- Buying out a sibling on an inherited house
- Using a non-occupant co-borrower
- How a HELOC affects your DTI ratio
- Rate buydown vs price reduction
- Assuming a mortgage & the assumption fee
- Counting ADU rental income
- Energy-efficient mortgage (EEM)
- Community land trust & shared equity
- Climate-risk insurance in a flood zone
- PACE loan for hurricane windows (FL)
- A pending special assessment
- Primary residence to rental (delayed financing)
- Debt-forgiveness income & qualifying
- Employer relocation lump sum
- Using a lawsuit settlement for a down payment
- When property taxes rise mid-year