What are average interest rates for 30-year mortgages today?

1. Why the headline numbers cluster but still diverge — the mechanics behind the averages

Freddie Mac’s Primary Mortgage Market Survey and the Federal Reserve’s FRED series track mortgage market aggregates and report essentially the same central value, about 6.22% as of early November 2025; these figures come from samples of lenders and large mortgage purchasers and prioritize consistency over intraday volatility ^{[2] [6]}. Bankrate’s daily composite, drawing from major lenders, shows 6.26% for the 30‑year fixed and slightly higher APRs for refinance products, reflecting additional fees and lender lockdowns ^[1]. Private services such as Mortgage News Daily and individual lenders report wider ceilings—up to 6.7%–6.98%—because they record actual retail quotes across credit tiers and geographic markets, so market‑level averages mask meaningful retail dispersion ^{[4] [7]}.

2. Different averages for different products — not all “30‑year rates” are the same

Public averages usually describe a conventional 30‑year fixed conforming loan; other programs report different averages—for example, FHA and VA products often show slightly lower or competitive headline rates but can carry different APRs when fees and mortgage insurance are included, while jumbo pricing can vary based on balance and investor appetite ^[5]. Rocket’s product table shows conventional APRs around 6.5% with FHA/VA and jumbo offers in the high 5s to low 6s depending on lender pricing and borrower profile, which helps explain why consumer quotes frequently diverge from the Freddie Mac number ^[5]. The headline percentage is a useful benchmark, but borrower cost depends on credit score, down payment, loan size and lender fees.

3. Recent trajectory and near‑term outlook — small moves, big perception

Through October into early November 2025, Freddie Mac’s weekly value nudged from 6.17% to roughly 6.22%, and Bankrate’s composite sat near 6.26%, signaling modest upward pressure compared with earlier fall readings; Zillow and other trackers recorded similar mid‑6s levels with refinance spreads wider than purchase rates ^{[7] [8] [3]}. Market commentary in November noted economists split between forecasts of moderation and expectations of further volatility tied to Federal Reserve guidance, Treasury yields and macro data, so short‑term direction can change quickly even when headline averages look stable ^[7]. Consumers should expect quoted rates to change day‑to‑day and to see different offers from multiple lenders.

4. How to interpret the numbers as a consumer — shopping matters more than the headline

The national average is a diagnostic, not a guaranteed offer: your personal rate can be meaningfully lower or higher depending on lender pricing, loan program and borrower attributes. Bankrate’s APR reporting highlights that refinance APRs and total cost differ from simple interest rates, and Rocket’s program breakdown shows that FHA, VA and jumbo loans can carry competitive nominal rates but different APRs when fees are included ^{[1] [5]}. Mortgage News Daily and market surveys that report upper‑end quotes demonstrate the impact of credit risk and regional funding costs, so shop multiple lenders, lock strategically, and compare APRs as well as nominal rates.

5. Bottom line: concrete numbers and what they mean for decision‑making

A practical answer: expect an average 30‑year fixed headline in the ~6.1%–6.3% band from large public trackers (Freddie Mac ~6.22%, Bankrate ~6.26%, Zillow ~6.125%), while retail quotes you receive may range from the high 5s to the high 6s or above depending on loan type and borrower profile ^{[2] [1] [3] [4]}. Use the public averages as a benchmark, but treat individual lender quotes and APR disclosures as the controlling figures for affordability and lock decisions; when timing a purchase or refinance, compare multiple lenders and program types to capture the real cost you will pay ^{[5] [1]}.