Mortgage Rates Today: July 21, 2025
The current mortgage rate on a 30-year fixed mortgage rose by 0.75% in the last week to 6.73%, according to the Mortgage Research Center.
Meanwhile, the APR on a 15-year fixed mortgage climbed 0.03 percentage point during the same period to 5.7%.
For existing homeowners, compare your current mortgage rates with today's refinance rates .
Today's 30-year mortgage—the most popular mortgage product—is 6.73%, up 0.75% from a week earlier.
The interest rate is just one fee included in your mortgage. You'll also pay lender fees, which differ from lender to lender. Both interest rate and lender fees are captured in the APR . This week the APR on a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage is 6.76%. Last week, the APR was 6.71%.
Let's say your home loan is $100,000 and you have a 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage with the current rate of 6.73%, your monthly payment will be about $647, including principal and interest (taxes and fees not included), the Forbes Advisor mortgage calculator shows. That's around $133,711 in total interest over the life of the loan.
The average interest rate on a 15-year mortgage (fixed-rate) jumped up to 5.7%. This same time last week, the 15-year fixed-rate mortgage was at 5.67%.
On a 15-year fixed, the APR is 5.75%. Last week it was 5.72%.
With an interest rate of 5.7%, you would pay $828 per month in principal and interest for every $100,000 borrowed. Over the life of the loan, you would pay $49,503 in total interest.
On a 30-year jumbo mortgage (a mortgage above 2025's conforming loan limit of $806,500 in most areas), the average interest rate fell to 6.95%, lower than it was at this time last week. The average rate was 6.95% at this time last week.
Borrowers with a 30-year fixed-rate jumbo mortgage with today's interest rate of 6.95% will pay $662 per month in principal and interest per $100,000. That means you'd pay roughly $138,639 in total interest over the life of the loan.
Although mortgage rates mainly fell after reaching a high in spring 2024, they surged again in October 2024. This is despite the Federal Reserve's cuts to the federal funds rate (its benchmark interest rate) in September, November and December 2024.
While rates have fallen somewhat since mid-January 2025, experts don't expect them to drop significantly anytime soon.
Mortgage rates are influenced by various economic factors, making it difficult to predict when they will drop .
Mortgage rates follow U.S. Treasury bond yields. When bond yields decrease, mortgage rates generally follow suit.
The Federal Reserve's decisions and global events also play a key role in shaping mortgage rates. If inflation rises or the economy slows, the Fed may lower its federal funds rate. For example, during the Covid-19 pandemic, the Fed reduced rates, which drove interest rates to record lows.
A significant drop in mortgage rates seems unlikely in the near future. However, they may decline if inflation eases or the economy weakens.
The first step on your homebuying journey should be to calculate affordability. You'll want to find out how much you can afford based on things like income, debt and savings.
Here are a few important factors that go into home affordability: Income
Debt
Debt-to-income ratio (DTI)
Down payment
Credit score
Multiple factors affect the interest rate for a mortgage, including the economy's overall health, benchmark interest rates and borrower-specific factors.
The Federal Reserve's rate decisions and inflation can influence rates to move higher or lower. Although the Fed raising rates doesn't directly cause mortgage rates to rise, an increase to its benchmark interest rate makes it more expensive for banks to lend money to consumers. Conversely, rates tend to decrease during periods of rate cuts and cooling inflation.
Home buyers can make several moves to improve their finances and qualify for competitive rates. One is having a good or excellent credit score, which ranges from 670 to 850. Another is maintaining a debt-to-income (DTI) ratio below 43%, which implies less risk of being unable to afford the monthly mortgage payment.
Further, making a minimum 20% down payment can help you avoid private mortgage insurance (PMI) on conventional home loans. If you can afford the larger monthly payment, 15-year home loans have lower rates than a 30-year term.
Conventional home loans are issued by private lenders and typically require good or excellent credit and a minimum 20% down payment to get the best rates. Some lenders offer first-time home buyer loans and grants with relaxed down payment requirements as low as 3%.
For buyers with limited credit or finances, a government-backed loan is usually the better option as the minimum loan requirements are easier to satisfy.
For example, FHA loans can require 3.5% down with a minimum credit score of 580 or at least 10% down with a credit score between 500 and 579. However, upfront and annual mortgage insurance premiums can apply for the life of the loan.
Buyers in eligible rural areas with a moderate income or lower may also consider USDA loans. This program doesn't require a down payment, but you pay an upfront and annual guarantee fee for the life of the loan.
If you come from a qualifying military background, VA loans can be your best option. First, you don't need to make a down payment in most situations. Second, borrowers pay a one-time funding fee but don't pay an annual fee as the FHA and USDA loan programs require. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
A competitive mortgage rate currently ranges from 6% to 8% for a 30-year fixed loan. Several factors impact mortgage rates, including the repayment term, loan type and borrower's credit score.
The Federal Reserve's efforts to stabilize the economy during the Covid-19 pandemic drove the historically low rates. As the economy recovers, the unemployment rate decreases and inflation is controlled, rates may dip below current levels, but they're unlikely to fall as low as 3% again anytime soon.
National average interest rates depend on economic and market conditions, including the bond market, inflation, the economy and Federal Reserve decisions.
Lenders set rates based on the loan type and term. In general, shorter terms tend to come with lower rates. Additionally, making a larger down payment signals less risk to the lender, which could get you a better rate.
Other factors that can impact your rate include your credit score, debt-to-income (DTI) ratio, income and property location.
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