The average interest rate for a 30-year, fixed-rate conforming mortgage loan in the U.S. is 6.595%, down from the day before, according to data from Mortgage Resource Center.
Meanwhile, the average rate for a 15-year, fixed-rate conforming mortgage loan is 5.738%, down for the same period.
Compare mortgage rates for July 20, 2026
Here’s a quick look at week-over-week rate changes.
Fortune reviewed the latest Mortgage Resource Center data available on July 17, 2026.
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 6.595%, on a 30-year mortgage where you borrow $300,000, you’d pay roughly $389,391.67 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 $148,074.82 in interest over the life of the loan at the current rate of 5.738%.
What the Fortune/MRC partnership means for you
Fortune partners with Mortgage Resource Center, a company with deep expertise in the mortgage data space, to keep you informed throughout your homebuying journey. We review average rates provided by MRC each workday they’re available, keeping you up to date on a variety of loan types.
Read on to see how mortgage rates have changed day by day.
30-year conventional mortgage rates
This may be the most popular mortgage type in the United States.
The current average 30-year mortgage rate is 6.595%. That’s down from 6.621% on the last day’s report.
15-year conventional mortgage rates
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 5.738%. That’s down from 5.779% on the last day’s report.
30-year jumbo mortgage rates
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 6.741%. That’s down from 6.799% on the last day’s report.
30-year FHA mortgage rates
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 5.964%. That’s up from 5.954% on the last day’s report.
30-year VA mortgage rates
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 6.064%. That’s up from 6.053% on the last day’s report.
30-year USDA mortgage rates
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 6.022%. That’s very slightly down from 6.025% on the last day’s report.
What the Federal Reserve is doing in 2026
While not a perfect correlation, mortgage interest rates often move in relationship to changes the Federal Reserve makes to its benchmark federal funds rate.
The federal funds rate is the rate banks charge each other to borrow money overnight. When it increases, lenders often raise the rates they charge customers. Conversely, when it decreases, lenders may offer borrowers lower rates.
At its most recent meeting June 16-17, the Federal Open Market Committee left the federal funds rate unchanged at 3.50% – 3.75%. The FOMC’s next meeting is slated for July 28-29.
While attempting to stave off a recession due to the coronavirus pandemic in 2020, the Fed dropped its benchmark rate to effectively zero. This led to historically low mortgage rates for a period of time—with the average mortgage rate dropping to 2.65% in January 2021.
Barring another pandemic-level catastrophe, experts agree it’s extremely unlikely for mortgage rates to dip that low at any point in the foreseeable future.
Trends with mortgage applications
Mortgage applications dipped recently. Per data from the Mortgage Bankers Association, applications overall were down 2.7% for the week ending July 10 compared to a week earlier.
“Purchase applications were down over the week and dipped below last year’s pace in the week following the July 4th holiday,” Joel Kan, MBA’s vice president and deputy chief economist, said in a news release.
Refinances as a share of total mortgage applications grew to 43.2%, according to the MBA.
FHA home loans increased to 17.7% of total applications, and adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs) decreased to 7.1%.
Recent reporting on the housing market from Fortune
Go deeper with our coverage of what’s happening with the housing market and the broader economy:
- It’s now cheaper to buy a new home than a used one, thanks to builder incentives and baby boomers who don’t want to sell on the low
- More noncollege-educated men are living at home and falling out of the labor market, forcing a decline in marriages, all thanks to rising rents
- This CEO pays $1.7 million a year so employees can live in one of America’s most expensive neighborhoods
- Americans are escaping the U.S. for New Zealand where house prices have hit a new low—but only wealthy Americans with $3 million spare can invest
- Gen Z and millennials aren’t convinced the American Dream exists anymore: Only 40% of them can afford to buy a home
- Harvard’s housing report has a darker message than affordability—the middle-class home was always a historical accident
- LinkedIn says real estate is one of the hottest industries for entry-level workers—One Gen Z sales agent made $75K his first year with no experience
Why you should comparison shop
Comparing rates on different types of loans and shopping around with different mortgage lenders are both important steps in getting the best mortgage for your situation.
If your credit is in stellar shape, a conventional mortgage might be the best choice for you. But, if your score is sub-600, an FHA loan may give you a chance a conventional loan would not.
When it comes to shopping around with different banks, credit unions, and online lenders, it can make a tangible difference in how much you pay. Freddie Mac research shows that in a market with high interest rates, homebuyers may be able to save $600 to $1,200 annually if they apply with multiple mortgage lenders.
Frequently asked questions
Are a mortgage’s interest rate and APR the same?
Not exactly. Your loan’s APR reflects the interest you’ll pay plus any fees factored in, so the APR will typically be slightly higher than the interest rate alone.
What’s a good mortgage rate in July 2026?
For 30-year conventional mortgages, we’ve been seeing the average rate hover near the 6.50% line. If you get a rate slightly above 6.00% that’s great for this environment.
Will mortgage rates go down?
If the Fed decides to cut the federal funds rate in 2026, mortgage rates might dip alongside that action (though it’s not guaranteed). Other factors impacting mortgage rates include inflation, the national debt, and demand for home loans.
