The average interest rate for a 30-year, fixed-rate conforming mortgage loan in the U.S. is 6.214%, an increase of about 2 basis points from the day before, according to data from mortgage data company Optimal Blue.
Meanwhile, the average rate for a 15-year, fixed-rate conforming mortgage loan is 5.507%, down less than a full basis point for the same period.
Compare mortgage rates for March 17, 2026
Here’s a quick look at week-over-week rate changes.
Fortune reviewed the latest Optimal Blue data available on March 16, reflecting rates for loans locked in as of March 13.
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 6.214%, on a 30-year mortgage where you borrow $300,000, you’d pay roughly $362,450.36 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 $141,426.14 in interest over the life of the loan at the current rate of 5.507%.
Read on to see how mortgage rates have changed day over day.
30-year conventional mortgage: Up about 2 basis points
This may be the most popular mortgage type in the United States.
The current average 30-year mortgage rate is 6.214%. That’s up from 6.190% on the last day’s report.
15-year conventional mortgage: Down less than a full basis point
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 5.507%. That’s down from 5.515% on the last day’s report.
30-year jumbo mortgage: Up about 3 basis points
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 6.454%. That’s up from 6.417% on the last day’s report.
30-year FHA mortgage: Up about 5 basis points
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 6.014%. That’s up from 5.958% on the last day’s report.
30-year VA mortgage: Up about 2 basis points
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 5.830%. That’s up from 5.806% on the last day’s report.
30-year USDA mortgage: Up about 3 basis points
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 5.968%. That’s up from 5.937% on the last day’s report.
What the Federal Reserve is doing in 2026
While the Fed does not set mortgage rates directly, it does set the federal funds rate, and that tends to influence rates on products such as mortgages.
The federal funds rate is what banks charge each other to borrow money overnight. When the Fed hikes this benchmark rate, rates on mortgages and other financial products often go up accordingly. And when the Fed decreases this rate, interest rates on mortgages and similar products are likely to decrease as well.
At the last meeting Jan. 27-28, the Federal Open Market Committee left the federal funds rate where it was at 3.50% – 3.75%. The FOMC has another meeting happening now, March 17-18.
The historical low for an average mortgage rate was 2.65% in January 2021. But this came after the Fed had dropped the federal funds rate to effectively zero in 2020 in an effort to combat recession as the country battled the coronavirus pandemic.
Barring a major disaster, experts do not expect mortgage rates to go that low again in the foreseeable future.
Trends with mortgage applications
Mortgage applications are up recently, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association. Specifically, applications were up 3.2% for the week ending March 6, 2026, compared to one week earlier.
“Financial markets were volatile last week amid the ongoing turmoil in the Middle East,” said Mike Fratantoni, MBA’s senior vice president of research and business development and chief economist. “Mortgage rates increased on net over the week, while refinance volume was roughly flat.”
Though refinance activity did not increase much, purchase applications were up 7.8% week over week. In particular, Fratantoni highlighted that applications for FHA loans were up in the most recent numbers.
Recent reporting on the housing market from Fortune
Want to make sure you know what’s going on in the economy? The Fortune newsroom has you covered:
- Banning institutional investors from buying homes will backfire for many Americans, experts say
- The ultrawealthy don’t house hunt anymore. They subscribe
- The $38.9 trillion national debt is costing you thousands of extra dollars per year on your mortgage
- Billionaires Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg used mortgages to buy multimillion-dollar mansions. Here’s why that’s a savvy financial decision
- Even most six-figure earners say buying a house is unattainable—half of Americans can’t afford to dine out or vacation in a cost of living crisis
Why you should comparison shop
Comparison shopping for the best mortgage for you can make a tangible difference in what you pay. According to Freddie Mac, when rates are high, homebuyers who apply with multiple mortgage lenders might save anywhere from $600 to $1,200 per year.
When you comparison shop, bear in mind you’re looking at two things. One is applying with different lenders to see who can offer you the best rate, service that aligns with your expectations, etc. The other is considering different types of home loans.
Someone who has excellent credit might get the best deal with a conventional mortgage. But, for someone with a credit score under 600, an FHA home loan might offer a chance for approval whereas seeking a conventional mortgage would likely result in a rejection.
Frequently asked questions
Are a mortgage’s interest rate and APR the same?
Not entirely. Your APR includes your interest rate plus any applicable fees, meaning APR will generally be higher than interest rate alone.
What’s a good mortgage rate in March 2026?
With the average rate for a 30-year conventional mortgage hovering above 6.00% lately, scoring a rate just above 6.00% means you’re doing fine. And if by chance you get a rate lower than 6.00%, that’s very good.
Will mortgage rates go down?
It’s possible but far from certain. Mortgage rates might decrease slightly if the Federal Reserve decides to lower the federal funds rate in 2026. But there are other factors influencing mortgage rates too, including inflation, the national debt, and how much demand there is for home loans.
