The average interest rate for a 30-year, fixed-rate conforming mortgage loan in the U.S. is 6.714%, up from the day before, according to data from Mortgage Research Center.
Meanwhile, the average rate for a 15-year, fixed-rate conforming mortgage loan is 5.860%, up for the same time period.
Compare mortgage rates for Aug. 19, 2026
Here’s a quick look at week-over-week rate changes.
Fortune reviewed the latest Mortgage Research Center data available on Aug. 18.
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 6.714%, on a 30-year mortgage where you borrow $300,000, you’d pay roughly $397,903.99 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 $151,607.98 in interest over the life of the loan at the current rate of 5.860%.
What the Fortune/MRC partnership means for you
Fortune partners with Mortgage Research 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 from the day prior.
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 6.714%. That’s up from 6.668% on the prior day.
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 5.860%. That’s up from 5.841% on the prior day.
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 6.795%. That’s very slightly down from 6.769% on the prior day.
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 6.090%. That’s up from 6.069% on the prior day.
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 6.178%. That’s up from 6.143% on the prior day.
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 6.145%. That’s up from 6.045% on the prior day.
What the Federal Reserve is doing in 2026
The Fed does not set mortgage interest rates directly. However, the central bank does set something called the federal funds rate, which is what banks charge each other to borrow money overnight.
Much of the time, rates on consumer products such as mortgages move alongside changes to the federal funds rate. So, if the Fed hikes or cuts its benchmark rate, mortgage rates might move up or down accordingly.
At its most recent meeting July 28-29, the Federal Open Market Committee left the federal funds rate at 3.50% – 3.75%. The FOMC has another meeting approaching on Sept. 15-16.
Many would-be homebuyers probably remember the historical low average mortgage rate of 2.65%, reached in January 2021. But this came as the Fed slashed the federal funds rate to effectively zero, trying to hold off a recession connected with the coronavirus pandemic.
Barring a disaster of pandemic-level proportions, experts do not expect we’ll see mortgage rates go that low again.
Trends with mortgage applications
Mortgage applications have ticked up recently. For the week ending Aug. 7, applications were up 3.6% compared to the week before, per a weekly survey by the Mortgage Bankers Association.
“After five consecutive weeks of increases, mortgage rates declined slightly last week as oil prices dipped briefly on the hopes of a sustained resolution to the war in Iran,” Joel Kan, vice president and deputy chief economist at MBA, observed in a news release.
But while both purchase and refinance applications increased on a weekly basis, the pace has fallen below what it was last year. Refi loan amounts are also down.
“As refinance incentives have dwindled with rates at current levels, the average loan size for refinance applications was down to its lowest level since July 2025,” Kan noted.
FHA loans, VA loans, and USDA loans all remained steady week over week as a portion of overall applications, according to the MBA data.
Recent reporting on the housing market from Fortune
Keep up on what’s happening with housing and the economy in general by following the work of the Fortune newsroom:
- Corcoran Group CEO says Gen Z’s housing market struggles mirror what boomers faced 30 years ago: ‘Stop buying Starbucks coffee,’ she advises
- The tables have turned: Florida and Texas are the biggest losers in the housing market as Ohio emerges a surprise winner
- Meet the 33-year-old CEO betting on boomers chasing their grandkids—and millennials selling their first house
- Locked out of housing, Gen Z and Millennials are building wealth in the stock market instead as they reach record high $3.1 trillion in holdings
- From Porsche penthouses to Nobu lofts: Inside the $67 billion boom in luxury branded residences
- Ultra-rich are buying up $49 million mansions in London, with ‘Trump unease’ generating a 10% rise in Americans investing in Britain
- How Washington’s war on ‘Wall Street landlords’ could backfire on Gen Z renters
Why you should comparison shop
In a high-interest-rate market, homebuyers who apply with multiple mortgages might save between $600 to $1,200 annually compared to those who do not, according to Freddie Mac.
When comparison shopping for a mortgage, keep in mind you’re comparing two factors. For one thing, you’re comparing different lenders to find the one that will offer you the best rate, service that aligns with your expectations, etc. And for another, you’re comparing different types of loans.
For instance, someone with a nearly perfect credit score might get the best deal for their situation with a conventional mortgage. But someone with a credit score under 600, who would likely be denied for a conventional mortgage, might still have a chance at approval for an FHA loan in some circumstances.
Frequently asked questions
Are a mortgage’s interest rate and APR the same?
They’re related but not entirely the same. Your APR includes your interest rate plus any applicable fees, meaning it will generally be the higher of the two numbers.
What’s a good mortgage rate in August 2026?
Scoring a rate just above 6.00% means you’re probably doing good, as we’ve seen the average for 30-year conventional home loans hovering above 6.50% recently.
Will mortgage rates go down?
It’s possible but nothing is set in stone. Mortgage rates might go down if the Fed proceeds with a cut to the federal funds rate in 2026. But, other factors influencing mortgage rates include inflation, the national debt, and the current demand for home loans.