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Key Takeaways
- The average 30-year mortgage rate has fallen below 6%—its lowest level since September 2022—offering buyers some relief.
- Rates still vary by state, with today’s lowest and highest averages separated by about a quarter of a percentage point.
- Even with rates easing, buyers are often better off moving when they’re financially ready rather than waiting for a perfect rate.
Nationwide mortgage rates dropped in the latest weekly average to their lowest level since September 2022, offering homebuyers some long-awaited relief.
While rates tend to move in the same direction across the country, what you’ll actually pay still depends on where you live. The difference from state to state isn’t dramatic, but it can add up over time.
Here’s how today’s average rate on a 30-year fixed mortgage with no points breaks down across all 50 states.
Why This Matters
Freddie Mac’s national mortgage rate average is at its lowest level in more than three years, but your location still plays a role in what you’ll pay. While even small differences in rates can add up, it may be smart to focus on buying when you’re financially ready rather than trying to time the market.
What Today’s Mortgage Rate Picture Looks Like
Based on daily mortgage rate averages from Zillow, the lowest average 30-year mortgage rates are currently in Pennsylvania, Oregon, and North Carolina, where rates range from 6.08% to 6.11%.
At the other end of the spectrum, Alaska, Iowa, and Utah have today’s highest averages, between 6.27% and 6.36%.
State averages can differ based on factors such as lender competition, borrower credit profiles, average loan size, and local regulations. Even so, the overall range is relatively narrow—only about a quarter of a percentage point separates the cheapest and most expensive states.
The national picture has eased as well. Every Thursday, Freddie Mac publishes a weekly average of 30-year mortgage rates. In its Feb. 26 release, the average fell to 5.98%, its lowest weekly reading since Sep. 8, 2022.
That figure isn’t directly comparable to rate averages we report here. That’s because Freddie Mac’s weekly survey blends five days of data and includes loans where borrowers pay discount points upfront to secure a lower rate.
In contrast, Investopedia’s 30-year average is based on daily Zillow data and reflects a no-points loan scenario. Other assumptions—such as credit score, loan size, and down payment—also differ between the two methodologies.
Our current national average for a 30-year fixed mortgage is 6.20%. While slightly higher than Freddie Mac’s weekly figure, it also reflects recent easing and represents a new low.
Important
The average rates shown here won’t match the teaser offers you see advertised online. Those rates are often cherry-picked and may assume points paid upfront or exceptional borrower qualifications. Your actual rate will depend on factors like credit score, income, loan size, and lender pricing.
Hoping to Buy a Home? Don’t Wait for the Perfect Rate
If you’re wondering whether now is the right time to buy, most forecasts still point to gradual, not dramatic, rate declines ahead. While mortgage rates have eased to their lowest levels in over three years, further drops aren’t guaranteed.
Even if rates do edge lower in the coming months, the difference may not outweigh the risk of missing out on the right home. What matters most is being financially prepared, with manageable debt, steady income, and enough saved for a down payment.
Waiting for a “perfect” rate could mean sitting on the sidelines longer than planned. Acting when you’re ready—and when a home fits your needs and budget—can be the smarter move. And if rates fall meaningfully in the future, refinancing always remains an option.
How We Track the Best Mortgage Rates
The national and state averages cited above are provided via the Zillow Mortgage API, based on a loan-to-value (LTV) ratio of 80%—meaning a 20% down payment—and a borrower credit score in the 680–739 range. The rates reflect a no-points loan scenario.
These averages represent what qualified borrowers may expect when receiving lender quotes, which can differ from advertised teaser rates. Actual offers will vary based on credit profile, income, loan size, property type, and lender pricing. © Zillow, Inc., 2026. Use is subject to the Zillow Terms of Use.
