Darryl Linnington

Published On: September 2, 2026
30-Year Fixed
6.72%
Optimal Blue via FRED · note rate

15-Year Fixed
6.05%
Optimal Blue via FRED · note rate

5/1 ARM APR
6.46%
Bankrate · APR (780 FICO, single-family, primary residence)

30- and 15-year rates reflect Optimal Blue rate-lock data. The 5/1 ARM figure is Bankrate’s national average APR and is not directly comparable.
Market data: Monday, August 31, 2026 · Optimal Blue

Mortgage rates today, September 2, 2026, put the 30-year fixed at 6.72%, up from 6.69% in the previous session, a move of 3 basis points. The 15-year fixed rose to 6.05%, and the 5/1 ARM climbed to 6.46% APR. That leaves the benchmark at the top of the band it has held for the past month. Monday’s session did the damage. Treasury yields climbed ahead of Friday’s jobs report, and mortgage pricing tracked them higher almost point for point.

30-Year Fixed Rate Trend

Daily 30-year fixed from Optimal Blue (OBMMI) via FRED

6.72%

Up 0.03% from 6.69%

5.75%

6.00%

6.25%

6.50%

6.75%

7.00%

Jun 25Oct 25Jan 26May 26Aug 26
52-Week High

6.72% (Aug 31, 2026)
52-Week Low

5.90% (Feb 27, 2026)
Current

6.72%

Mortgage Rates Today: What’s Trending

The climb matters because of where it lands. At 6.72%, the 30-year is pressing the ceiling of its recent range, and every leg higher shows up in payment math immediately. A $400,000 loan now runs $2,586 a month in principal and interest, while a $400,000 home bought with 20% down, a $320,000 loan, costs $2,069.

Today’s rate in context

A year ago, at 6.52%, that same $400,000 loan cost $2,534 a month, so today’s borrower pays $52 more every month, or $624 more over a year.

What to do right now

However, context cuts both ways. Three basis points is a drift, not a rupture, and lenders repriced calmly rather than defensively. Anyone shopping on a quote from last week should have it re-run before Friday’s data.

Rate Outlook
6.72%
30-yr fixed
+0.04
change, past 7 days

0.00
change, past 30 days

Market direction
Rising

Rates falling
Rates rising


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Where Rates Are Headed

The path from here runs through the bond market, not through the Federal Reserve’s next statement. Yields rose into this week’s data and mortgage pricing followed; nothing in that pattern points to a break of the recent range yet.

What could move rates next

Instead of predicting the break, prepare for both sides of it. A quarter-point rise would put a $400,000 loan at $2,653 a month, so a budget that only works at 6.72% is a budget without a margin of safety.

Mortgage Rates Today: Rate Comparison

30-Year Fixed
6.72%

15-Year Fixed
6.05%

5/1 ARM APR
6.46%

Lower is better. Rates updated daily from market data.

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Conventional, FHA, VA and jumbo pricing, updated every business day.

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What’s Moving the Market

The Federal Reserve is holding its target range at 3.50%–3.75%, and the bond market is trading data rather than speeches. Unemployment stands at 4.1%, headline CPI runs 3.4%, core CPI 2.5% and core PCE 3.3%.

The driver right now

The near-term test is concrete. The jobs report on September 4 lands this week, followed by the CPI report on September 11, which covers August, and the Federal Reserve’s meeting on September 16 after both. A hot payrolls number would extend Monday’s move; a soft one would walk it back.

What This Rate Means for Homebuyers

Start from the loan, not the sticker. A $400,000 home with 20% down is a $320,000 loan, and at 6.72% that costs $2,069 a month in principal and interest. The same arithmetic on a $400,000 loan comes to $2,586.

Lock or float?

A year ago, at 6.52%, that same $320,000 loan cost $2,027 a month, so today’s borrower pays $42 more every month, or $504 more over a year.

Smart shopping moves

Closing inside 45 days makes a lock conversation worth having before Friday’s jobs report, not after it. With more time you can float, but only with a lender who offers a float-down and a budget stress-tested a quarter point higher.

Mortgage Rates Today: Monthly Payment Estimates

Home Price 3% Down 10% Down 20% Down
$300K $1,882 $1,746 $1,552
$400K $2,509 $2,328 $2,069
$500K $3,136 $2,910 $2,586

Principal and interest only. Does not include taxes, insurance, or PMI.

For First-Time Homebuyers

A $285,000 starter loan runs $1,843 a month at today’s pricing. For most first purchases the cap is debt-to-income, not the credit score, so the payment you can defend every month matters more than the number on the quote.

Getting in with less down

Programs help at the margins. FHA allows 3.5% down with a credit score of 580 or higher, scores from 500 to 579 need at least 10% down, and below 500 FHA financing is not available at all. Knowing your score band settles the down-payment question before house hunting starts.

Affordability Snapshot

Based on $100K income at 6.72% rate

$329K
Max Home Price ($100K income)

Stretched
Affordability

Illustrative example. Assumes a $100,000 household income, a 28% front-end debt-to-income limit with roughly a fifth of that budget reserved for taxes and insurance, 10% down, and a 30-year term at 6.72%. It is not a pre-qualification.

What This Rate Means for Refinancers

A $350,000 balance still carried at 7.25% costs $2,388 a month. Moving it to today’s rate brings the payment to $2,263, which frees $125 every month.

Is it worth it yet?

Divide your closing costs by that monthly number and you get a break-even in months; that figure, not the rate gap, makes the decision. What you keep over the loan’s life depends on the remaining term and what the refinance costs to close.

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Monthly Payment Breakdown

$350K home at 6.72% with 10% down

Principal & Interest:$2,037

Property Tax:$350

Home Insurance:$150

PMI (10% down):$144

Illustrative example. Assumes a $350,000 home with 10% down (a $315,000 loan) at 6.72%, property tax of $350 a month, homeowners insurance of $150 a month, and PMI at 0.55% a year. Your own taxes, insurance and PMI will differ.

Estimated Total Monthly Payment
$2,681

For Real Estate Investors

Illustrative investor pricing, roughly 60 basis points above today’s conforming benchmark, runs near 7.32%, and a $225,000 loan at that level is $1,546 a month. Rents did not move three basis points this week, so the spreadsheet, not the headline, decides whether a property still works.

Making the numbers work

Cash-flow discipline beats rate timing here. An underwriting that only pencils if rates fall is not underwriting, it is hoping.

Quick Tips by Buyer Type

First-Time Buyers
Look into FHA loans with 3.5% down payment
Move-Up Buyers
Consider timing your sale with market conditions
Refinancers
Break-even = closing costs ÷ monthly savings
Investors
Factor in higher rates for investment properties

15-Year vs 30-Year: Which Is Right for You?

A $350,000 loan over 30 years at 6.72% costs $2,263 a month and $464,723 in total interest. The 15-year at 6.05% runs $2,963 monthly and $183,333 in interest, a lifetime difference of $281,390.

Who the 15-year fits

The shorter term is a cash-flow decision, not a discount hunt. Take it only if the higher payment survives a stress test against your real monthly budget.

15-Year vs 30-Year on a $350,000 Loan

30-Year Fixed at 6.72%
$2,263/mo
Total interest: $464,723

15-Year Fixed at 6.05%
$2,963/mo
Total interest: $183,333

15-Year saves you $281,389 in interest

Why Mortgage Rates Rose With Treasury Yields

The 30-year mortgage rate stands 197 basis points above the 10-year Treasury, which sits at 4.75%. The one-year average gap is 201 basis points, so today’s spread is 4 basis points tighter than normal.

What it means for you

A tight spread changes the diagnosis. This week’s rise came from the Treasury side, not from lenders padding their margins; pricing is passing the bond market through almost one for one. That is uncomfortable on the way up and useful on the way down.

What would change it

It also means a rally would reach borrowers quickly. When yields fall, a spread this tight has little room to absorb the move, so watch the 10-year itself rather than waiting for lenders to catch up.

Rate Lock Tips

Rate Lock Period
Most locks last 30-60 days. Longer locks may cost more.
Float Down Option
Some lenders let you lower your rate if markets improve.
Points vs Rate
Paying points upfront lowers your rate, often by roughly 0.25 percentage points per point, though the amount varies by lender and by day.
Best Time to Lock
Lock when you’re comfortable, not waiting for perfection.

The Bottom Line

The 30-year stands at 6.72%, up from 6.69%, at the top of its recent band. A $400,000 loan now costs $2,586 a month, and the direction into the weekend belongs to the data.

Your move

Watch the jobs report on September 4, then the CPI report on September 11, covering August. The Federal Reserve’s meeting on September 16 follows both.

What to watch next

Closing within 45 days argues for locking before Friday rather than after it. Everyone else should know their lock window and keep the quote current, because this market reprices on data, not on schedules.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are mortgage rates today for a 30-year fixed?

Mortgage rates today for a 30-year fixed average 6.72%. Rates vary by lender and depend on factors like credit score, down payment, and loan amount.

What are mortgage rates today for a 15-year fixed?

Mortgage rates today for a 15-year fixed average 6.05%. This shorter term typically offers lower rates but higher monthly payments.

Should I lock in mortgage rates today?

Whether to lock in mortgage rates today depends on your timeline and risk tolerance. With 30-year rates at 6.72%, consider locking if you’re closing within 30-60 days and are comfortable with current rates.

How do I get the best mortgage rates today?

To get the best mortgage rates today, compare quotes from at least 3 lenders, lock your rate when you’re comfortable, and improve your credit score before applying. With current 30-year rates at 6.72%, even a 0.25% difference saves thousands over the life of the loan.

30-year and 15-year figures are note rates from Optimal Blue. The 5/1 ARM figure is Bankrate’s national average APR; the sources use different methodologies and are not directly comparable. Sources & further reading: Optimal Blue (OBMMI) via FRED, U.S. Treasury (DGS10) via FRED, BLS CPI and Employment Situation, BEA PCE, the Federal Reserve, and Freddie Mac PMMS, and Bankrate (5/1 ARM APR).

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