Today, Monday, November 9, 2026, the average HELOC adjustable rate is 7.83%, up significantly from the 2026 low of 7.09% observed at the end of August, according to real estate data analytics company Curinos. The national average rate on a fixed-rate home equity loan is still 7.50%, up from its 2026 low of 7.31% in late June.
Both rates are based on applicants with a minimum credit score of 780 and a maximum combined loan-to-value ratio (CLTV) of less than 70%.
HELOC and home equity loan rates: Monday, November 9, 2026
The difference between the current home equity loan (HEL) rate and the average HELOC rate is 4 basis points, according to Curinos. When rates are this far apart, choosing the right option isn’t about which rate is lower. How you plan to use your funds will determine the loan product that is best for you.
How do HELOC interest rates work?
Most HELOCs are variable-rate products, meaning their interest rates are tied to an external interest rate. When that rate rises or falls, the rate on your HELOC generally follows suit.
HELOCs are typically tied to the prime rate, the baseline rate banks currently charge their most creditworthy customers.
The best HELOC lenders will assess the risk any borrower presents and add a margin to protect themselves. Riskier borrowers will have larger margins, while those considered less risky will receive smaller ones. Factors such as your credit score, debt-to-income ratio (DTI), and loan-to-value ratio (LTV) will all be considered in this assessment.
How do home equity loan interest rates work?
A home equity loan and its interest rate work like a HELOC in some ways and like a traditional primary mortgage in others.
As with a HELOC, the prime rate usually impacts your home equity loan rates, and home equity loan lenders incorporate a margin into your rate. Both HELOC and home equity loan rates are loosely influenced by the Federal Reserve’s federal funds rate and broader economic conditions.
However, like many first mortgages, home equity loans are typically fixed-rate products, meaning you’ll have the same interest rate for the entire term. Fixed-rate HELOCs exist, but they’re much less common.
As of November 9, 2026, the average adjustable HELOC rate is 7.83%, while the national average for a fixed-rate home equity loan is 7.50%—a difference of 33 basis points ($0.33\%$). Because the rate gap is relatively narrow, choosing the right option depends more on how you plan to use the funds and whether you prefer predictable monthly payments over flexible borrowing.
The benchmark averages reported by Curinos apply to well-qualified borrowers who have a minimum credit score of 780 and a maximum combined loan-to-value (CLTV) ratio of less than 70% (meaning you retain at least 30% equity in your home after factoring in both your primary mortgage and the new loan or credit line).
Most HELOCs have variable interest rates tied to an external benchmark—typically the prime rate (the baseline rate banks charge their most creditworthy customers). Lenders then add a personalized margin based on your risk profile, evaluating factors like your credit score, debt-to-income (DTI) ratio, and loan-to-value (LTV) ratio. When the prime rate moves, your HELOC rate generally moves with it.
Choose a HELOC if you want a revolving credit line to draw funds as needed—such as for phased home renovations or an ongoing financial safety net—and are comfortable with variable monthly payments. Choose a home equity loan if you need a single lump sum upfront for a one-time expense (like debt consolidation or a major repair) and want the stability of a fixed rate.
Suresh Saini is the Founder and Lead Financial Researcher at Tax Assistant. He holds a Master of Commerce (M.Com) degree with a specialized focus on Advanced Accountancy, providing him with a robust academic and analytical foundation in complex accounting principles, credit systems, and personal finance structures.
Driven by a passion to democratize financial literacy, Suresh has spent years analyzing and decoding shifting fiscal guidelines. At Tax Assistant, he manages the platform’s core editorial direction, transforming dense government updates and complex banking parameters into structured, clear, and actionable guides for both individual taxpayers and small businesses across North America.
Before launching taxassistant.org, Suresh conducted deep financial and market dynamics research, focusing on asset management, personal wealth optimization, and strategic tax planning. His dedication to data integrity ensures that every piece of news, breakdown, or analysis published under his leadership is rigorously fact-checked by certified tax professionals and aligned perfectly with contemporary regulatory frameworks.
