The average interest rate for a 30-year, fixed-rate conforming mortgage loan in the U.S. is 6.380%, 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 5.742%, up about 13 basis points for the same period.
Compare mortgage rates for May 6, 2026
Here’s a quick look at week-over-week rate changes.
Fortune reviewed the latest Optimal Blue data available on May 5, reflecting rates for loans locked in as of May 4.
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 6.380%, on a 30-year mortgage where you borrow $300,000, you’d pay roughly $374,133.14 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 $148,189.66 in interest over the life of the loan at the current rate of 5.742%.
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 6.380%. That’s up from 6.313% on the last day’s report.
15-year conventional mortgage: Up about 13 basis points
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 5.742%. That’s up from 5.611% on the last day’s report.
30-year jumbo mortgage: Up about 2 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 6.492%. That’s up from 6.466% on the last day’s report.
30-year FHA mortgage: Less than a basis point of change
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 6.138%. That’s up from 6.136% 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 5.952%. That’s up from 5.935% on the last day’s report.
30-year USDA mortgage: Up about 2 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 5.943%. That’s up from 5.922% on the last day’s report.
What the Federal Reserve is doing in 2026
Market observers know that mortgage interest rates often move in tandem with the federal funds rate, which is set by the Federal Reserve (and is what banks charge each other to borrow money overnight).
When the Fed hikes its benchmark rate, mortgage rates often rise accordingly. And when the Fed decreases the federal funds rate, mortgage rates often dip.
At its most recent meeting April 28-29, the Federal Open Market Committee left the federal funds rate at 3.50% – 3.75%. The FOMC has another meeting scheduled for June 16-17.
In 2020, the Fed cut its benchmark rate to effectively zero, trying to prevent a recession as the coronavirus wreaked havoc. In that environment, mortgage rates hit historical lows, bottoming out with an average rate of 2.65% in January 2021.
However, experts agree mortgage rates that low are unlikely to happen again in the foreseeable future, barring a disaster of pandemic-level proportions.
Trends with mortgage applications
Mortgage applications have decreased slightly, per the Mortgage Bankers Association.
Applications have dropped 1.6% for the week ending April 24 when compared to the previous week. Meanwhile, mortgage refinance activity dropped by 1.7%. Adjustable-rate mortgages have also increased, now making up 8.3% of total applications.
“Mortgage rates increased slightly last week, with the 30-year fixed rate rising to 6.37 percent. However, purchase activity for conventional loans picked up almost 2 percent for the week,” says Mike Fratantoni, MBA’s SVP and chief economist, in a news release. “After a brief pause, in part because of the elevated geopolitical uncertainties, potential homebuyers certainly appear to be moving forward this spring and taking advantage of the more favorable inventory conditions in most parts of the country.”
Recent reporting on the housing market from Fortune
Stay informed on what’s happening with housing in the U.S. as well as trends in the economy, with reporting from the Fortune newsroom:
- America’s twin scarcities: The 4-million-unit shortage in both housing and childcare is breaking families
- The national debt is the same size as the economy. It’s a ‘disturbing warning and a call to action,’ watchdog says
- Florida’s influx of rich residents is killing the middle class and housing market
- The starter home is dying. Better.com’s CEO says AI is the only thing that can save it
- The housing affordability crisis isn’t just crushing millennials—it’s squeezing out buyers in their 40s, 50s, and beyond, too
- The tables have turned: Florida and Texas are the biggest losers in the housing market as Ohio emerges a surprise winner
- Trump’s big housing market solution is dead on arrival, UBS says—its model is Texas from 25 years ago
Why you should comparison shop
It’s worth applying with multiple lenders to find which will offer the lowest rate and which seems like it can provide the service you’ll expect going forward.
On the savings front, Freddie Mac notes that when interest rates are high, homebuyers who apply with multiple lenders might save $600 to $1,200 per year compared to those who do not.
It’s also smart to shop around and consider different loan types to find the one that serves your situation the best. For example, if your credit score is nearly perfect, you might get a great deal on a conventional mortgage. But if your credit score is under 600, you might be denied for a conventional mortgage but still have a chance at approval for an FHA home loan.
Frequently asked questions
Are a mortgage’s interest rate and APR the same?
They’re related, but not the same. Your APR includes the interest you’ll pay and any fees factored in as well.
What’s a good mortgage rate in May 2026?
We’ve been seeing the average rate for a 30-year, conventional home loan hovering well above 6.00% recently. If you get a rate just above 6.00%, that’s pretty good. And if you happen to get a rate below 6.00%, that’s a big win in today’s market.
Will mortgage rates go down?
Nothing is set in stone. Mortgage rates might go down if the Fed decides on a cut to the federal funds rate in 2026. But additional factors impacting mortgage rates include inflation, the national debt, and demand for home loans.
