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Compare today's mortgage rates

Compare Today’s Mortgage Rates | Tuesday, October 21, 2025

Rates are current as of October 21, 2025 3:50 PM EDT

National average mortgage rates:
30-Year Fixed

APR 6.10%

-0.09% 1w
15-Year Fixed

APR 5.44%

-0.09% 1w
5-Year ARM

APR 6.75%

-0.06% 1w
11 ResultsShowing rates for: Purchase, Good (720-739), $500,000, 30-year fixed, Single-family, Primary residence
License information
11 Results for: Purchase, Good (720-739), $500,000, 30-year fixed, Single-family, Primary residence.
Central Bank

NMLS#407985

APR

6.13%

APR

6.13%

Interest rate

6.13%

Est. mo. payment

$2,431/mo

Total fees

$254

GET MY RATE
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The Nerdy headline

Midwest-rooted Central Bank offers an online application, which you can track via mobile app. But you’ll have to contact the bank for mortgage rates.

Home loans overall

NerdWallet rating

4.0

What we like
  • Among the best when it comes to online convenience.
  • Offers a full selection of mortgage types and products, including jumbo, home equity, and government loans.
  • Claims to offer preapproval within 24 hours of loan application.
What we don't like
  • You'll have to complete a loan application to see mortgage interest rates.
  • Bank branch locations limited to the Midwest.
  • Does not offer home equity lines of credit.
Better

NMLS#330511

APR

6.13%

APR

6.13%

Interest rate

6.13%

Est. mo. payment

$2,431/mo

Total fees

$251

GET MY RATE
Hide details

The Nerdy headline

Better stands out for its attractive interest rates and wide range of mortgage types, including for condos and manufactured homes. Better offers connections with homeowners insurance providers and real estate attorneys, as well as title insurance. However, the lender could improve its customer service.

Home loans overall

NerdWallet rating

4.5

What we like
  • Has a wide variety of mortgage types, including home equity products.
  • Offers lower interest rates than many competitors.
  • Sample online rates are customizable by location.
What we don't like
  • We struggled to contact customer service.
  • The lender scores poorly for customer satisfaction on Zillow.
  • Does not offer construction loans.
Real Genius

NMLS#2389303

APR

6.15%

APR

6.15%

Interest rate

6.13%

Est. mo. payment

$2,431/mo

Total fees

$963

GET MY RATE
Hide details

The Nerdy headline

Home loans overall

NerdWallet rating

4.5

What we like
  • Offers a variety of mortgage options, including jumbo loans, and FHA and VA loans.
  • Offers home equity loans and lines of credit.
  • Displays customized rates, with fee estimates, without requiring contact information.
What we don't like
  • Doesn’t offer mortgages in all 50 states.
  • Home renovation loans are not available.
NBKC

NMLS#409631

APR

6.15%

APR

6.15%

Interest rate

6.13%

Est. mo. payment

$2,431/mo

Total fees

$1,007

GET MY RATE
Hide details

The Nerdy headline

NBKC stands out for its attractive interest rates and fees, and is primarily an online lender — though its app does not have mortgage features and chat support is not geared toward mortgage borrowers.

Home loans overall

NerdWallet rating

4.5

What we like
  • Competitive interest rates and fees.
  • Offers most common loan types, as well as a handful of specialty loans.
  • Payouts are available to borrowers whose loans don’t close on time.
What we don't like
  • Customer service is only accessible over the phone for many mortgage customers.
  • Does not offer renovation loans.
  • Home equity products are not currently a lending priority.
Farmers Bank of Kansas City

NMLS#613839

APR

6.15%

APR

6.15%

Interest rate

6.13%

Est. mo. payment

$2,431/mo

Total fees

$1,043

GET MY RATE
Hide details

The Nerdy headline

Farmers Bank of Kansas City lets you browse rates and apply online, but branches are Kansas-only. Get discounts by using the bank’s partner real estate network.

Home loans overall

NerdWallet rating

4.5

What we like
  • Displays customized rates, with fee estimates, without requiring contact information.
  • Offers home equity loans and lines of credit.
  • Mortgage origination fees are on the low side compared to other lenders, according to the latest federal data.
What we don't like
  • Doesn’t offer government-backed FHA or USDA loans, or adjustable-rate mortgages.
  • Home renovation loans are not available.
  • Mortgage rates are on the high side compared to other lenders, according to the latest federal data.
First Federal Bank

NMLS#408902

APR

6.15%

APR

6.15%

Interest rate

6.13%

Est. mo. payment

$2,431/mo

Total fees

$1,139

GET MY RATE
Hide details

The Nerdy headline

First Federal Bank stands out for its exceptionally low interest rates and its emphasis on government loans. Most likely to appeal to borrowers shopping for low rates and fees.

Home loans overall

NerdWallet rating

5.0

What we like
  • Strong experience in FHA and VA lending.
  • Average mortgage rates are on the low side, according to the latest federal data.
  • Minimum credit score requirement of 580 for some loans, which is lower than some competitors.
What we don't like
  • No mobile app.
  • Home equity lending is not a priority.
  • Does not offer renovation loans, but does offer construction loans.
New American Funding

NMLS#6606

APR

6.16%

APR

6.16%

Interest rate

6.13%

Est. mo. payment

$2,431/mo

Total fees

$1,629

GET MY RATE
Hide details

The Nerdy headline

New American Funding offers a large menu of loan products, as well as programs like first-time home buyer assistance, but personalized mortgage rates aren't available on its website.

Home loans overall

NerdWallet rating

4.5

What we like
  • Offers a wide variety of purchase and refinance mortgages, as well as unique buyer assistance programs.
  • Its home equity line of credit can be used for a primary residence or second home.
What we don't like
  • Average origination fees are on the high side, according to the latest federal data.
  • Personalized mortgage rates are not available on the website without providing contact information.
Next Door Lending LLC

NMLS#1880338

APR

6.18%

APR

6.18%

Interest rate

6.13%

Est. mo. payment

$2,431/mo

Total fees

$2,380

GET MY RATE

Next Door Lending is a wholly-owned subsidiary of NerdWallet

Hide details

The Nerdy headline

Next Door Lending, a mortgage broker, offers expert assistance shopping for and closing a loan, as well as specialty loans at competitive rates. Mortgages are not available in every state.

What we like
  • Offers a variety of loan types, including first-time buyer programs and loans for self-employed borrowers.
  • Real-time rate quotes available while working with a broker.
  • Responsive customer service.
  • Competitive pricing often available, especially for non-traditional borrowers.
What we don't like
  • Does not publish interest rates online.
  • No mortgage mobile app.
  • Loans are not available in every state.

See more options

About these rates: The lenders whose rates appear on this table are NerdWallet's advertising partners. NerdWallet strives to keep its information accurate and up to date. This information may be different than what you see when you visit a lender's site. The terms advertised here are not offers and do not bind any lender. The rates shown here are retrieved via the Mortech rate engine and are subject to change. These rates do not include taxes, fees, and insurance. Your actual rate and loan terms will be determined by the partner's assessment of your creditworthiness and other factors. Any potential savings figures are estimates based on the information provided by you and our advertising partners.

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NerdWallet Mortgage Experts is a wholly-owned subsidiary of NerdWallet

Our top-rated mortgage experts can find the best rate for you

Today’s mortgage rates | Tuesday, October 21, 2025

Last updated 3:50 PM EDT
On Tuesday afternoon, October 21, 2025, the average interest rate on a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage fell one basis point to 6.1% APR, compared to yesterday.
The average rate on a 15-year fixed-rate mortgage fell seven basis points to 5.44% APR. The average rate on a 5-year adjustable-rate mortgage fell one basis point to 6.75% APR.
The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage rate is nine basis points lower than one week ago and 18 basis points lower than one year ago.
A basis point is one hundredth of a percent, or 0.01%. We describe mortgage rates’ ups and downs in basis points because they simplify comparisons.
NerdWallet’s rates are expressed as an annual percentage rate, or APR, and our mortgage rates data comes from Zillow.
sparkle

Our Nerdy take on mortgage rates

Oct. 15, 2025: Interest rates for home loans slipped a little in the last week as investors sought safe assets such as mortgage debt. The decline was small, but might have outsize impact on borrowers. Plenty of homeowners are paying attention to rates, eager to refinance as soon as rates drift below 6.25%. We might see a surge in refinances arising from this decline in rates.
Holden Lewis
Holden Lewis's profile picture

Watch: Fed Cuts Rates — Now What?

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What Moves Mortgage Rates? Factors at Play & How to Shop

Kate Wood
Holden Lewis
+1
Kate Wood
+2
Written by 

Kate Wood

,  Reviewed by 

Holden Lewis

,  Edited by 

Johanna Arnone

Written by 

Kate Wood

 and 
2 others
Last updated 10/21/2025
Mortgage rates change all the time, as lenders adjust their offers up or down depending on what's happening on a grand scale. Shifts in the economy, changes in markets, and big events like national elections are reflected in rates' movements.
Mortgage lenders take that big stuff into account in order to set base rates that are competitive while giving them some profit. They then adjust that base rate up or down for individual borrowers depending on perceived risk.
Say you have a solid credit score with a record of on-time payments and a manageable amount of debt. You'd likely seem like a safe bet to a lender and be offered a lower interest rate than a borrower who had some negative remarks on their credit report and larger debts.
Here's a breakdown of lenders' main considerations when determining what mortgage rate you'll be offered. Some are specific to you, others are more macro level.

Factors you can change

Wallet with a gold credit card.

Your credit score

Mortgage lenders use credit score as a stand-in for risk. Higher credit scores are seen as safer, and are generally rewarded with lower interest rate offers.

A green bank that has a coin slot at the top where a hand is depositing a coin.

Your down payment

Paying a larger percentage of the home's price upfront reduces the amount you're borrowing. A bigger down payment may help you score a lower interest rate.

Magnifying glass over a notebook

Your loan type

What kind of mortgage you're applying for influences the rate you're offered. For example, jumbo loans tend to have higher interest rates.

Paper documents wrapped with a ribbon that has a checkmark on it.

How you'll use the home

A mortgage for a primary residence will usually have a lower interest rate than a home loan for a second home or an investment property.

Forces you can't control

Green paycheck.

The U.S. economy

Stock market trends, the rate of inflation and the job market can all put pressure on mortgage interest rates. Events like elections can influence rates, too.

Cash and coins.

The global economy

What's happening around the world affects U.S. markets, which can then push mortgage rates higher or lower.

A green bank.

The Federal Reserve

Decisions by the nation's central bank to raise or cut interest rates for short-term borrowing can ripple out to rates on longer-term loans, including mortgages.

Couple of hands typing on a laptop.

The housing market

A hot housing market can make it harder to find lower mortgage rates. When lenders have plenty of business, there's less incentive to compete for buyers.

How to compare current mortgage rates

Here's a breakdown of what you're looking at when you view mortgage interest rate offers.
APR: Annual percentage rate, or APR, is a figure that takes into account the interest rate the lender offers as well as other costs associated with the loan. Because it's more inclusive, APR is usually considered a more accurate measure of how much a mortgage will cost.
Interest rate: The interest rate listed is the mortgage rate that the lender is offering. If you haven't entered any information to personalize the rate (like your approximate credit score, location, or down payment savings), you're seeing a sample rate that's calculated based on generic borrower characteristics that may not apply to you.
Est. mo. payment: The estimated monthly payment is how much this loan would cost, per month, in principal and interest.
Total fees: These are the additional, one-time costs you'll pay to obtain the loan. This can include lender fees, as well as other closing costs like the appraisal fee or title insurance. This number can also include discount points, which are units of prepaid interest. Points are optional — and pricey — but they lower the interest rate. Including discount points in the rate offer will make a lender's rates appear lower.

How to see personalized mortgage rates

Mortgage rates like the ones you see on this page are sample rates. In this case, they're the averages of rates from multiple lenders, which are provided to NerdWallet by Zillow. That lets you know where mortgage rates stand today, but it doesn't show you the exact rate you'd be offered.
The same goes for rates you see advertised by individual lenders. Lenders use a set of sample borrower characteristics — like credit score, location and down payment amount — to generate the rates they show on their websites.
To see more personalized rates, you'll need to provide some information about you and about the home you're hoping to buy.
Fill in the fields to match your characteristics and plans in the 'Purchase' tab at the top of this page. For ZIP code, enter where you're hoping to buy. (Not sure about your planned purchase price or down payment amount? Check out our affordability calculator to pin down your homebuying budget.) Then click 'see rates' to show offers that more closely match your financial picture.
Tap the 'Customize' button at the top of this page, then fill in the fields to match your characteristics and plans. For ZIP code, enter where you're hoping to buy. (Not sure about your planned purchase price or down payment amount? Check out our affordability calculator to pin down your homebuying budget.) Then tap 'find my rates' to see offers that more closely match your financial picture.

Does a lower mortgage rate matter? Savings example

Whether you're looking at sample rates on lenders' websites or comparing personalized rates here, you'll notice that interest rates vary. This is one reason why it's important to shop around to get the best mortgage rate when you're looking for a lender. Borrowers who compare at least two lenders could save as much as $600 per year — and comparing at least four lenders bumps that savings to up to $1,200 annually — according to research from Freddie Mac.
Fractions of a percentage might not seem like they'd make a big difference, but you aren't just shaving a few bucks off your monthly mortgage payment. You're also lowering the total amount of interest you'll pay over the life of the loan. The longer you own the home, the more that savings will add up.
Here's an example: Say one lender is offering you a 7% fixed interest rate on a 30-year mortgage for $360,000, while another is offering 6.75% for the same loan.
With a 7% interest rate, the monthly principal and interest payment would be almost $2,400. With a 6.75% interest rate, the monthly principal and interest payment would be about $2,340.
That's a difference of about $60 a month, which might not seem like a ton. But after five years, you’d save more than $4,500 in interest at the lower rate. And over the life of the loan, you'd pay almost $22,000 less interest.
And this example uses a difference of just a quarter of a percentage point. If you've got a range of offers from a few lenders, you may find there's a substantial difference between the highest and lowest quote.

How to compare mortgage lenders

  1. Before you start looking at lenders, you need to know what you can spend. Figure out how much house you can afford to create your home shopping budget.
  2. Browse lenders online and check out their sample interest rates. If you can, personalize the rates by entering details like your down payment savings and where you live.
  3. Apply for mortgage preapproval from at least three lenders. Preapproval doesn't affect your credit score, plus it's helpful for home shopping.
  4. Within three business days, each lender that preapproves you will send you a Loan Estimate. You'll be able to compare rate offers and lender fees side by side.
Don't want to do all that work? You don't have to. A mortgage broker can do the research, presenting you with loan options that fit your needs. They'll continue to work with you throughout the homebuying process, too, interacting with the lender and other parties in the transaction to keep things running smoothly. If you'd prefer to be more hands on, that's fine, too. You can make an informed choice by asking brokers about their fees and services and weighing those costs and benefits against researching lenders on your own.
» MORE: How to choose a mortgage lender

Frequently asked questions

  • What is included in a mortgage payment?

    The interest rate is what the lender charges for borrowing the money, expressed as a percentage. The APR, or annual percentage rate, is a measure that's supposed to more accurately reflect the cost of borrowing.
    APR includes fees and discount points that you'd pay at closing, as well as ongoing costs, on top of the interest rate. That's why APR is usually higher than the interest rate.

  • Are mortgage rates expected to drop?

    Mortgage rates are constantly on the move, though sometimes those moves are barely visible — just a few basis points up or down. In 2025, average rates on 30-year, fixed-rate loans have pretty much stayed within a range of 6.5% to 7%.
    This has some frustrated would-be borrowers asking when mortgage rates will be 3% again, as they were in 2020 and 2021. But it's important to remember not just that it was cheaper to borrow back then, but also why rates went so low. The Federal Reserve took extraordinary measures — including cutting the federal funds rate to near zero and buying billions of dollars in mortgage-backed securities — to try to avert an economic crisis brought on by the pandemic. This wasn't the normal ups and downs of the market, it was a serious outlier.
    It’s smart to keep track of mortgage rate trends so you can nail down your budget, but home buyers shouldn’t feel pressure to time the market. Mortgage rates can't be predicted with complete accuracy — and if you're waiting for rates to hit a certain number, you could miss out on your perfect home.

  • What is a mortgage rate lock?

    Mortgage rates not only vary from day to day, but hour to hour. In order to know what interest rate you'll pay, you need the rate you're offered to stop changing. A mortgage rate lock is the lender's guarantee that you'll pay the agreed-upon interest rate if you close by a certain date. Your locked rate won't change, no matter what happens to interest rates in the meantime.
    It's a good idea to lock the rate when you're approved for a mortgage with an interest rate that you're comfortable with. Consult with your loan officer or mortgage broker on the timing of the rate lock. Ideally, your rate lock would extend a few days after the expected closing date, so you'll get the agreed-upon rate even if the closing is delayed a few days.

Latest mortgage news and analysis