Data source: crowdsourced replies in r/Mortgages
Why this report matters
- Reality‑check, not marketing copy. Every rate below is self‑reported by a U.S. borrower who just opened their wallet.
- Ten‑year span, one volatile cycle. See the sub‑3 % pandemic trough, the 2022‑23 snap‑back and the still‑sticky 6 %+ plateau of 2025.
- Actionable benchmark. Use the live averages to judge any quote you receive this year.
U.S. Average Mortgage Rates by Year (2015‑2025, 30/20/15‑Year Fixed)
| Year closed | 30‑yr fixed | 20‑yr fixed | 15‑yr fixed | Loans |
| 2015 | 3.70 % · 6 | — | 3.10 % · 2 | 8 |
| 2016 | 3.40 % · 4 | — | 3.00 % · 1 | 5 |
| 2017 | 3.80 % · 5 | — | — | 5 |
| 2018 | 4.30 % · 4 | — | — | 4 |
| 2019 | 3.70 % · 8 | — | 3.00 % · 3 | 11 |
| 2020 | 2.80 % · 95 | 2.65 % · 10 | 2.25 % · 29 | 134 |
| 2021 | 2.90 % · 113 | 2.70 % · 12 | 2.05 % · 34 | 159 |
| 2022 | 4.75 % · 32 | — | 4.10 % · 6 | 38 |
| 2023 | 6.25 % · 41 | 6.50 % · 2 | 5.80 % · 10 | 53 |
| 2024 | 6.30 % · 49 | 6.55 % · 4 | 5.90 % · 9 | 62 |
| 2025 | 6.45 % · 44 | 6.50 % · 4 | 5.55 % · 10 | 58 |
| TOTAL | — | — | — | 529 |
Five insights worth citing
- The 2020‑21 giveaways were unprecedented. Borrowers in our sample locked 30‑year rates at an eye‑watering 2.85 % average.
- “Normal” came roaring back. Pricing more than doubled in under 18 months, breaching 6 % by Q4 2023 and refusing to retreat.
- Short term = big discount. Across the decade a 15‑year note was about 0.85 percentage points cheaper than a 30‑year.
- Fixed‑rate loyalty. Even with widening spreads only 3 % of respondents chose an ARM; rate certainty still trumps savings.
- 2025 deal mechanics matter. Almost half of this year’s buyers mention seller‑paid points or temporary buydowns to land < 6 %.
2025 playbook: how to beat the average
| Borrower profile | Competitive rate band | Typical concessions | Pro tip |
| Prime (≥ 780 FICO, ≤ 75 % LTV) | 5.75‑6.00 % | 0.5‑1 pp in seller‑funded points | Compare 15‑yr vs 30‑yr break‑even (< 6 yrs in most cases). |
| Mid‑tier (700‑739 FICO) | 6.25‑6.75 % | Closing‑cost credits | Ask for a single‑recapture buydown and plan to refi. |
| VA / FHA | ~5.9 % (no points) | Up‑front MIP refund on future IRRRL | Keep lock periods short; lenders re‑price fast. |
