The average interest rate for a 30-year, fixed-rate conforming mortgage loan in the U.S. is 6.125%, an increase of about 7 basis points from the day before, according to data from mortgage data company Optimal Blue.
Meanwhile, the average rate for a 15-year, fixed-rate conforming mortgage loan is 5.399%, down about 1 basis point for the same period.
Compare mortgage rates for March 13, 2026
Here’s a quick look at week-over-week rate changes.
Fortune reviewed the latest Optimal Blue data available on March 12, reflecting rates for loans locked in as of March 11.
What you’d pay in interest with where rates are at today
We ran the numbers through the mortgage calculator provided by the federal government’s Office of Financial Readiness. At the current rate of 6.125%, on a 30-year mortgage where you borrow $300,000, you’d pay roughly $356,220.30 in interest over the life of the loan.
On a 15-year mortgage with the same loan amount used for the estimate, you’d pay roughly $138,336.34 in interest over the life of the loan at the current rate of 5.399%.
Read on to see how mortgage rates have changed day by day.
30-year conventional mortgage: Up about 7 basis points
This may be the most popular mortgage type in the United States.
The current average 30-year mortgage rate is 6.125%. That’s up from 6.060% on the last day’s report.
15-year conventional mortgage: Down about 1 basis point
This type of mortgage is popular with homeowners seeking to minimize interest payments over the life of their loan.
The current average 15-year mortgage rate is 5.399%. That’s down from 5.405% on the last day’s report.
30-year jumbo mortgage: Up 6 basis points
A jumbo mortgage is one that exceeds the conforming loan limits set by the Federal Housing Finance Agency. While the limit can vary in certain high-cost-of-living-areas, in most of the U.S., it’s $832,750 for 2026.
The current average rate on a 30-year jumbo loan is 6.358%. That’s up from 6.298% on the last day’s report.
30-year FHA mortgage: Up about 8 basis points
This type of mortgage is oftentimes more accessible to borrowers with slightly lower credit scores than conventional mortgages. Lenders are protected because these loans are insured by the Federal Housing Administration.
The current average rate on a 30-year FHA home loan is 5.944%. That’s up from 5.859% on the last day’s report.
30-year VA mortgage: Up about 1 basis point
These loans are, in general, available to U.S. military members and veterans and surviving spouses. One attractive feature is that they have no minimum down payment requirement, unlike most other mortgage types.
The current average rate on a 30-year VA home loan is 5.750%. That’s up from 5.736% on the last day’s report.
30-year USDA mortgage: Up about 5 basis points
A USDA loan is meant to help low- to moderate-income borrowers purchase a home in an eligible rural area. Like VA loans, USDA loans have no minimum down payment requirement.
The current average rate on a 30-year USDA home loan is 5.836%. That’s up from 5.785% on the last day’s report.
What the Federal Reserve is doing in 2026
The Fed does not set rates on mortgages and other consumer financial products directly. But, the Fed does set something called the federal funds rate—the rate banks charge each other to borrow money overnight. And rates on consumer products often fluctuate alongside changes the central bank makes to the federal funds rate.
For example, when the Fed hikes that rate, banks often respond by increasing rates on mortgages and similar products. When the Fed decreases its rate, financial institutions may similarly decrease rates on consumer products.
The most recent meeting of the Federal Open Market Committee occurred Jan. 27-28, and the Fed left the federal funds rate at 3.50% – 3.75%. There’s another FOMC meeting set for March 17-18.
While trying to prevent a recession from the coronavirus pandemic in 2020, the Fed slashed its rate to effectively zero. In this environment, mortgage rates dropped dramatically, hitting a historical low average of 2.65% in January 2021.
But, barring another global catastrophe, experts do not think mortgage rates will go that low again in the foreseeable future.
Trends with mortgage applications
Mortgage applications are up recently, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association. Specifically, applications were up 3.2% for the week ending March 6, 2026, compared to one week earlier.
“Financial markets were volatile last week amid the ongoing turmoil in the Middle East,” said Mike Fratantoni, MBA’s senior vice president of research and business development and chief economist. “Mortgage rates increased on net over the week, while refinance volume was roughly flat.”
Though refinance activity did not increase much, purchase applications were up 7.8% week over week. In particular, Fratantoni highlighted that applications for FHA loans were up in the most recent numbers.
Recent reporting on the housing market from Fortune
If you’re looking to be a more informed consumer, check out Fortune’s reporting on what’s going on with housing and the economy as a whole:
- The $38.9 trillion national debt is costing you thousands of extra dollars per year on your mortgage
- Billionaires Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg used mortgages to buy multimillion-dollar mansions. Here’s why that’s a savvy financial decision
- Even most six-figure earners say buying a house is unattainable—half of Americans can’t afford to dine out or vacation in a cost of living crisis
- Gen Z can’t afford the American Dream—so they’ve traded homeownership for paying off debt
Why you should comparison shop
Shopping around can help you save money on physical products, and the same holds true for financial products such as home loans. In fact, homebuyers in high-interest environments who apply with multiple lenders might save from $600 to $1,200 per year compared to those who don’t, according to Freddie Mac.
Keep in mind there are two big factors you’re considering when shopping around for a mortgage. One of those is which lender will offer you the lowest rate and which may have the service that aligns with your expectations.
The other is what type of loan you’re going to ultimately take out. For example, someone with a high credit score may get a great deal on a conventional mortgage, whereas someone with a credit score less than 600 may get denied for a conventional mortgage but still have a chance at taking out an FHA home loan.
Frequently asked questions
Are a mortgage’s interest rate and APR the same?
Not quite. Your APR will typically be the higher number, as it factors in interest plus any applicable fees.
What’s a good mortgage rate in March 2026?
Since we’ve been observing the average rate for a 30-year conventional home loan fluctuating in the vicinity of 6.00%, getting a rate just above 6.00% is probably a solid win. And if you happen to get a rate lower than 6.00%, you can count yourself lucky in the current market.
Will mortgage rates go down?
It’s possible but far from certain. If the Fed opts for a cut to the federal funds rate in 2026, mortgage rates might dip accordingly. However, there are other factors that play an important role in where mortgage rates end up—including the national debt, demand for home loans, and inflation.
