Compare Current 15-Year Mortgage Rates | Bankrate (2024)

Current 15-year mortgage rate trends

So far in 2024, the average rate for a 15-year fixed-rate mortgage has stayed in the 6 percent range, hitting a low of 6.13 percent in January, according to Bankrate data. The rate tracked up to 6.5 percent in February, but has since retreated under that mark.

Current 15-year mortgage rates compared to other loan types

Learn more:Compare current mortgage rates for today

How to compare current 15-year mortgage rates

For the best chance of getting the lowest possible mortgage rate, compare loan offers from more than one lender. You might even consider working with a mortgage broker. Here’s how:

1. Get preapproved: Get rate quotes from at least three mortgage lenders, ideally on the same day so you have an accurate basis for comparison. Lenders determine your interest rate based on your credit score, debt-to-income (DTI) ratio and other factors, including the size of your down payment. Generally, borrowers with a credit score of 740 and up, a substantial down payment (20 percent is ideal, but not required) and a DTI ratio of no more than 43 percent score the most attractive offers.
2. Compare the interest rate and APR: The interest rate and annual percentage rate (APR) reflect the cost of the loan. The interest rate is the cost to borrow the funds, while the APR includes the interest rate and other costs such as the origination fee and any points. When comparing rate offers, the APR is a more complete picture of the all-in cost.
3. Consider the lender’s ratings and your experience: Aside from the numbers, evaluate other factors such as convenience and the lender’s responsiveness. Take a look at what other borrowers have had to say about the lender, too.

Learn more:How to get the best mortgage rate

Should you get a 15-year mortgage?

There’s no right or wrong answer, so consider:

1. Can you afford the higher monthly mortgage payments? Many borrowers stretch as it is to fit a 30-year mortgage payment into their monthly budget. If that’s the case for you, it might be better to stick with the longer mortgage term, even if you don’t plan to stay in the home the full 30 years.
2. How do you feel about debt? If you’re comfortable with the concept of debt as a financial tool, it might make more sense to go with a 30-year loan. If you prefer paying down the mortgage more quickly, then check out 15-year term options.

You’ll also want to consider both the benefits and drawbacks of a 15-year mortgage so you can see how one might fit your financial goals:

Pros of a 15-year mortgage

• You’ll build equity faster. Compared to a 30-year loan, you’ll pay down your balance much more quickly.
• You’ll pay less interest. Rates on 15-year loans are typically lower than rates on 30-year loans. What’s more, you’ll pay less interest over the life of the loan.
• A larger chunk of monthly payments go toward the loan principal rather than interest. With a 30-year mortgage, only a fraction of early payments go to repaying principal. A 15-year loan speeds up that process.

Cons of a 15-year mortgage

• You’ll have higher monthly payments compared to longer-term loans. If you’re struggling to qualify, a 15-year mortgage will only increase the challenge.
• There’s an opportunity cost. Maybe it makes more sense to borrow more against your house and to invest the proceeds for retirement or other financial goals.
• There’s a potential loss of mortgage interest tax breaks due to paying less interest. Many Americans no longer benefit from the mortgage interest deduction, but if you do, consider the tax implications.

If I can afford it, should I get a 15-year mortgage?

Refinancing into a 15-year mortgage

Meet our Bankrate experts

Written by: Jeff Ostrowski, Principal Reporter, Mortgages

I cover mortgages and the housing market. Before joining Bankrate in 2020, I spent more than 20 years writing about real estate and the economy for the Palm Beach Post and the South Florida Business Journal. I’ve had a front-row seat for two housing booms and a housing bust. I’ve twice won gold awards from the National Association of Real Estate Editors, and since 2017 I’ve served on the nonprofit’s board of directors.

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Edited by: Suzanne De Vita, Senior Editor, Home Lending

I’ve covered the housing market, mortgages and real estate for the past 12 years. At Bankrate, my areas of focus include first-time homebuyers and mortgage rate trends, and I’m especially interested in the housing needs of baby boomers. In the past, I’ve reported on market indicators like home sales and supply, as well as the real estate brokerage business. My work has been recognized by the National Association of Real Estate Editors.

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Reviewed by: Greg McBride, CFA, Chief Financial Analyst, Bankrate

Greg McBride is a CFA charterholder with more than a quarter-century of experience in personal finance, including consumer lending prior to coming to Bankrate. Through Bankrate.com's Money Makeover series, he helped consumers plan for retirement, manage debt and develop appropriate investment allocations. He is an accomplished public speaker, has served as a Wall Street Journal Expert Panelist and served on boards in the credit counseling industry for more than a decade and the funding board of the Rose Foundation’s Consumer Financial Education Fund.

Read more from Greg McBride