Current Mortgage Rates (March 2026)
Today's mortgage rates from 622+ credit unions across 50 US states. Updated daily. Ranked by true cost (APR + points + fees), not affiliate revenue.
The median 30-year fixed mortgage rate is 6.024% APR as of March 9, 2026, based on RateAPI's analysis of 622 credit unions across 50 US states. The lowest available rate is 4.000% APR from Grand Altitude (WY). Credit union rates average 0.25-0.50% lower than bank rates.
1. Rate Overview
Mortgage Rate Summary
Current rates from 622+ credit unions, verified March 9, 2026
| Product | Median APR | Lowest APR | Highest APR | Institutions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30-Year Fixed | 6.024% | 4.000% | 10.250% | 622 |
| 15-Year Fixed | 5.671% | 4.000% | 10.900% | 500 |
Source: RateAPI database of 622+ credit unions in 50 US states. APR includes points and fees. Data verified March 9, 2026.
2. Context
Rate Spread Analysis
How credit union rates vary across institutions
30-Year Fixed Spread
30-year fixed rates range from 4.000% to 10.250% APR across 622 credit unions — a 6.25 percentage point spread. The lowest rate is from Grand Altitude (WY).
15-Year Fixed Spread
15-year fixed rates range from 4.000% to 10.900% APR across 500 credit unions — a 6.90 percentage point spread. The lowest rate is from Children's Medical Center (OH).
15-Year vs 30-Year
Choosing a 15-year term saves 0.353% on median APR (5.671% vs 6.024%). On a $400,000 loan, this means significantly less interest paid over the life of the loan.
3. Best Rates
Lowest Rate Institutions
Top credit unions by 30-year fixed APR (based on a $400K purchase across major states)
| Rank | Credit Union | State | APR | Rate | Est. Payment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hale County Teachers | TX | 4.500% | 4.500% | $2,027 |
| 2 | Grand Central Terminal Employees | NY | 4.500% | 4.500% | $2,027 |
| 3 | Spc Brooklyn | NY | 4.500% | 4.500% | $2,027 |
| 4 | Elektra | NY | 4.500% | 4.500% | $2,027 |
| 5 | High Street Baptist Church | VA | 4.500% | 4.500% | $2,027 |
Rates shown are for a $400,000 conforming 30-year fixed purchase mortgage. Actual rates depend on credit score, down payment, loan amount, and state. Use the RateAPI API to query personalized rates for your situation.
5. Rate Factors
What Affects Your Mortgage Rate
Key factors that determine the rate you qualify for
Credit Score
Your credit score is the single biggest factor. Borrowers with 760+ scores typically qualify for the lowest rates. A 100-point difference in credit score can mean 0.50-0.75% higher APR, costing tens of thousands over the loan term.
Down Payment
A larger down payment reduces lender risk and typically results in better rates. Putting down 20% or more eliminates private mortgage insurance (PMI) and often qualifies you for the best rate tiers.
Loan Amount
Conforming loans (under $766,550 in most areas) generally have lower rates than jumbo loans. Very small loan amounts may also carry slightly higher rates due to fixed origination costs.
Loan Term
Shorter terms (15-year) have lower rates than longer terms (30-year). The current median 15-year rate is 5.671% APR vs 6.024% for 30-year. Shorter terms also mean significantly less total interest paid.
Property Type
Primary residences get the best rates. Investment properties and second homes typically carry rates 0.25-0.75% higher. Condos and multi-unit properties may also have slightly higher rates.
Debt-to-Income Ratio
Lenders prefer DTI ratios below 36%. Higher ratios may still qualify but at higher rates. Credit unions often have more flexible DTI guidelines than traditional banks.
6. Methodology
How We Collect Rate Data
RateAPI collects mortgage rates daily from 622+ credit unions across all 50 US states using automated web scrapers with AI-assisted parsing. Each rate is verified through anomaly detection algorithms that flag unusual changes for manual review.
- Data sources: 622+ credit union websites, scraped daily
- Rate types: 30-year fixed and 15-year fixed mortgages
- Coverage: All 50 US states plus Washington DC
- Freshness: 95%+ of rates are less than 24 hours old
- Bias: Zero affiliate relationships - rankings based solely on APR + fees
- Verification: AI anomaly detection with manual review of flagged rates
For full details, see our complete methodology documentation.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about current mortgage rates
The median 30-year fixed mortgage rate from credit unions is 6.024% APR, based on RateAPI's analysis of 622 credit unions across 50 US states. The lowest 30-year fixed rate available is 4.000% APR from Grand Altitude (WY). Rates vary by credit score, down payment, loan amount, and location.
Mortgage rates on this page are updated daily. RateAPI's automated scrapers verify rates from 622+ credit unions every day. Over 95% of rates in our database are less than 24 hours old, ensuring you always see current rate information.
Credit unions are member-owned, not-for-profit institutions that return profits to members through lower rates and fewer fees. On average, credit union mortgage rates are 0.25-0.50% lower than bank rates. On a $400,000 mortgage, this can save $40,000-$80,000 over the life of a 30-year loan.
The lowest mortgage rates typically require excellent credit (740+ FICO score). Borrowers with scores of 760+ may qualify for the best available rates. However, credit unions often offer competitive rates even for borrowers with scores in the 680-739 range, and many have more flexible underwriting than traditional banks.
A 15-year mortgage offers lower interest rates (currently 5.671% median APR vs 6.024% for 30-year) and significantly less total interest paid. However, monthly payments are higher. A 30-year mortgage provides lower monthly payments and more flexibility. The best choice depends on your budget, financial goals, and how long you plan to stay in the home.
RateAPI uses automated web scrapers with AI-assisted parsing to collect mortgage rates directly from 622+ credit union websites daily. Rates are verified through anomaly detection and quality checks. There are zero affiliate relationships — rates are ranked by true cost (APR + points + fees), not by advertising revenue.
Yes. RateAPI provides a REST API and MCP server for programmatic access to mortgage rate data. The API supports queries by state, loan type, term, and amount. A free tier is available with 20 requests per month (50 with email). Response time is sub-200ms. Visit api.rateapi.dev for documentation.
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