According to rates from the Zillow lender marketplace, mortgage rates are much higher this week than last week. The current 30-year fixed rate is up 24 basis points to 6.91% compared to a week ago, the 15-year fixed rate increased by 33 basis points to 6.37%, and the 5/1 ARM is up 21 basis points to 6.85%.
Today’s mortgage rates
Here are the current mortgage rates today, Sunday, September 13, 2026, according to the latest Zillow data:
- 30-year fixed: 6.91%
- 20-year fixed: 6.79%
- 15-year fixed: 6.37%
- 5/1 ARM: 6.85%
- 7/1 ARM: 6.60%
- 30-year VA: 6.26%
- 15-year VA: 5.84%
- 5/1 VA: 5.89%
Remember, these are the national averages and are rounded to the nearest hundredth.
Today’s mortgage refinance rates
These are today’s mortgage refinance rates, Sunday, September 13, 2026, according to the latest Zillow data:
- 30-year fixed: 6.91%
- 20-year fixed: 6.76%
- 15-year fixed: 6.29%
- 5/1 ARM: 6.05%
- 7/1 ARM: 6.63%
- 30-year VA: 6.33%
- 15-year VA: 5.92%
- 5/1 VA: 5.93%
Again, the numbers provided are national averages rounded to the nearest hundredth. Mortgage refinance rates are often higher than rates when you buy a house, although that’s not always the case.
Monthly mortgage payment calculator
Use the mortgage calculator below to see how various mortgage terms and interest rates will impact your monthly payments.
Monthly Mortgage Calculator
You can bookmark the tax assistant mortgage payment calculator and keep it handy for future use. It also considers factors like property taxes and homeowners insurance when determining your estimated monthly mortgage payment. This gives you a more realistic idea of your total monthly payment than if you just looked at mortgage principal and interest.
30-year vs. 15-year fixed mortgage rates
The average 30-year mortgage rate today is 6.91%. A 30-year term is the most popular type of mortgage because by spreading out your payments over 360 months, your monthly payment is lower than with a shorter-term loan.
The average 15-year mortgage rate is 6.37% today. When deciding between a 15-year and a 30-year mortgage, consider your short-term versus long-term goals.
A 15-year mortgage comes with a lower interest rate than a 30-year term. This is great in the long run because you'll pay off your loan 15 years sooner, and that's 15 fewer years for interest to accumulate. But the trade-off is that your monthly payment will be higher as you pay off the same amount in half the time.
Let's say you get a $300,000 mortgage. With a 30-year term and a 6.41% rate, for example, your monthly payment toward the principal and interest would be about $1,878.48, and you'd pay $376,254 in interest over the life of your loan — on top of that original $300,000.
If you get that same $300,000 mortgage with a 15-year term and a 5.80% rate, for example, your monthly payment would jump to $2,499.27. But you'd only pay $149,869 in interest over the years.
Fixed-rate vs. adjustable-rate mortgages
With a fixed-rate mortgage, your rate is locked in for the entire life of your loan. You will get a new rate if you refinance your mortgage, though.
An adjustable-rate mortgage keeps your rate the same for a predetermined period. Then, the rate will go up or down depending on several factors, such as the economy, and the maximum amount your rate can change according to your contract. For example, with a 7/1 ARM, your rate would be locked in for the first seven years, then change every year for the remaining 23 years of your term.
Adjustable rates typically start lower than fixed rates, but once the initial rate-lock period ends, your rate may increase. Lately, though, some fixed rates have been starting lower than adjustable rates. Talk to your lender about its rates before choosing one or the other.
How to get a low mortgage rate
The best mortgage lenders typically offer the lowest mortgage rates to borrowers with larger down payments, excellent credit scores, and low debt-to-income ratios. So, if you want a lower rate, try saving more, improving your credit score, or paying down some debt before you start shopping for homes.
Waiting for rates to drop probably isn't the best method to get the lowest mortgage rate right now. If you're ready to buy, focusing on your personal finances is probably the best way to lower your rate.
How to choose a mortgage lender
To find the best mortgage lender for your situation, apply for mortgage preapproval with three or four companies. Just be sure to apply to all of them within a short time frame — doing so will give you the most accurate comparisons and have less of an impact on your credit score.
When choosing a lender, don't just compare interest rates. Look at the mortgage annual percentage rate (APR) — this factors in the interest rate, any discount points, and fees. The APR, which is also expressed as a percentage, reflects the true annual cost of borrowing money. This is probably the most important number to look at when comparing mortgage lenders.
A: A 15-year mortgage comes with two major cost-saving advantages: a lower baseline interest rate and half the time for interest to accrue. For example, on a $300,000 loan, a 15-year term at 5.80% incurs $149,869 in lifetime interest, compared to $376,254 in total interest on a 30-year term at 6.41%—a long-term savings of over $226,000.
A: The main trade-off is a significantly higher monthly payment because you must repay the full balance in 180 months instead of 360. On a $300,000 loan, the 15-year payment jumps to $2,499.27 per month, compared to $1,878.48 per month for a 30-year term.
A: A fixed-rate mortgage locks in your interest rate for the entire life of the loan. An ARM offers a fixed rate for an initial set period (e.g., 5 years for a 5/1 ARM or 7 years for a 7/1 ARM). After that initial period ends, your rate will adjust periodically up or down based on current market conditions and contract caps.
A: The interest rate only calculates your annual borrowing cost on the principal balance. The APR provides a more accurate picture of total borrowing costs because it combines the interest rate with lender fees, closing costs, and discount points.
A: Instead of trying to time broad market fluctuations, focus on improving your personal financial profile:
Increase your down payment to lower the lender's loan-to-value ratio risk. Improve your credit score by settling past-due accounts and making timely debt payments.
Lower your debt-to-income (DTI) ratio by paying down existing debts before submitting mortgage applications.
Suresh holds a Master of Commerce (M.Com) degree and is a dedicated personal finance researcher and writer. Combining his advanced academic background in commerce with deep industry research, he covers complex topics like taxation, banking systems, credit analysis, and personal finance strategies. As the founder of Tax Assistant (taxassistant.org), Suresh is committed to translating complicated financial guidelines and economic data into simple, accurate, and actionable educational resources for everyday readers.
