The average interest rate for a 30-year, fixed-rate conforming mortgage loan in the U.S. is 6.729%, 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 5.869%, up for the same time period.
Compare mortgage rates for Aug. 24, 2026
Here’s a quick look at week-over-week rate changes.
Fortune reviewed the latest Mortgage Research Center data available on Aug. 21.
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 6.729%, on a 30-year mortgage where you borrow $300,000, you’d pay roughly $398,977 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 $151,869 in interest over the life of the loan at the current rate of 5.869%.
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 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 6.729%. That’s up from 6.701% 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 5.869%. That’s up from 5.843% 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 6.797%. That’s up from 6.787% 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 6.099%. That’s up from 6.086% 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 6.186%. That’s up from 6.167% 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 6.162%. That’s up from 6.155% 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 July 28-29, the Federal Open Market Committee left the federal funds rate unchanged at 3.50% – 3.75%. The FOMC’s next meeting is slated for Sept. 15-16.
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 have dipped ever so slightly. Overall applications were down 0.4% for the week ending Aug. 14 compared to a week earlier, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association.
“Mortgage rates and applications changed little last week, with just a slight increase in refinances for conventional and VA loans, while FHA refinances were lower,” Joel Kan, MBA’s VP and deputy chief economist, said in a news release. “Borrowers with larger loan sizes remain less likely to refinance with rates at these higher levels. The average loan size on refinances continues to shrink, dipping to $282,200 last week, the lowest level since June 2025.”
Purchase applications decreased, Kan added. As a share of total home loan applications, adjustable-rate mortgages decreased to 7.7%, per MBA numbers.
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:
- 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
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 August 2026?
For 30-year conventional mortgages, we’ve been seeing the average rate hover above 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.