The Average Mortgage Rate To Expect Based on Your Credit Score
Written by
Gabrielle Olya
Edited by
Molly Sullivan
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Buying a home is one of the biggest financial decisions you’ll ever make, and good or bad, your credit score plays a major role in determining the mortgage rate you’ll pay. Simply put, a higher score can mean lower interest rates, saving you thousands over the life of your loan, while a lower score could lead to significantly higher costs.
To help you plan ahead, here’s a breakdown of the average mortgage rates by credit score so you know what to expect, and what steps you can take to improve your score before applying for a home loan.
Average Mortgage Loan Interest Rates by Credit Score
As of March 8, the average mortgage loan rates were 6.24% for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage and 5.49% for a 15-year fixed-rate mortgage. However, your actual rate will depend on your credit score. Here’s a peek at what rates you can expect based on credit scores, and how yours stacks up.
| Credit Score | APR |
| 760 to 850 | 6.51% |
| 700 to 759 | 6.80% |
| 680 to 699 | 6.95% |
| 660 to 679 | 7.02% |
| 640 to 659 | 7.15% |
| 620 to 639 | 7.32% |
Here’s a look at the average mortgage rate by credit score, as reported by Experian using Curinos data.
Why Your Credit Score Affects Your Mortgage Rate
Mortgage lenders use your credit score as one of the factors when determining what rate you will receive.
“Your credit score plays a critical role in determining your mortgage rate because it is viewed as an indicator of risk and how you manage debt,” said Darren Tooley, senior loan officer at Cornerstone Financial Services in Southfield, Michigan.
“With conventional loans and most other programs, the credit score can impact the rate and fees by as much as several percentage points,” he said. “Higher credit scores typically result in lower interest rates because they signal a stronger likelihood of on-time repayment. In comparison, lower credit scores may lead to higher rates or even denial, as lenders view these scores as higher risk.”
The exception to this rule is if you qualify to receive a mortgage through one of the available government programs.
“With certain government programs like [Federal Housing Administration] (FHA) and [Department of Veterans Affairs] (VA) loans, as long as your credit score is average or above, the score may have little or no impact on your interest rate,” Tooley said.
Other Factors Affecting Your Mortgage Rate
While your credit score greatly impacts your mortgage rate, there are other factors lenders take into account when determining your loan terms.
“These include your loan-to-value or down payment, loan term, loan type and even your debt-to-income for specific programs or when determining private mortgage insurance,” Tooley said.
“Many programs offer a slightly better interest rate for shorter terms,” he continued. “For example, a 15-year term will offer a better interest rate than a 30-year term. Also, as a general rule, the larger the down payment, the lower the interest rate. However, there are some exceptions where putting the minimum down payment may offer a slightly lower interest rate, which is designed to help make things more affordable, especially for first-time buyers.”
How To Secure a Favorable Mortgage Rate With a Lower Credit Score
According to Experian, many lenders require a credit score of 580 or higher to receive a mortgage loan. However, you typically need a score of 760 or higher to qualify for the best rate. If you don’t meet this threshold, there are moves you should make to get a competitive rate.
“Start by paying down high-interest debt and correcting any credit report errors, which can help boost your credit scores,” Tooley said. “If paying down debt isn’t an option, consider applying for an FHA loan or checking if you are eligible for other government programs like a VA loan or [U.S. Department of Agriculture] (USDA) loan, which allow more lenient credit requirements. Lastly, work with a trusted lender and loan officer who can work with you on your credit while determining that they are looking into the best programs to suit your needs.”
Caitlyn Moorhead contributed to the reporting for this article.
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