Home Equity Loan Rates and Lenders in October 2026
Current $50k home equity loan rates are as low as 6.88%.
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Current home equity loan rates offered by LendingTree partners
| LOAN AMOUNT | APR AS LOW AS
Rates are calculated based on conditional offers for both home equity loans and home equity lines of credit with 30-year repayment periods presented to consumers nationwide by LendingTree’s network partners in the past 30 days for each loan amount. Rates and other loan terms are subject to lender approval and not guaranteed. Not all consumers may qualify. See LendingTree’s Terms of Use for more details.
| MONTHLY PAYMENT |
|---|---|---|
| $25,000 | 8.19% | $187.60 |
| $50,000 | 6.88% | $459.85 |
| $100,000 | 6.99% | $664.63 |
| $150,000 | 7.25% | $1057.37 |
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Home equity loan rates offered by LendingTree partners currently average 6.65%.
Rates are calculated based on conditional offers for home equity loans with a 15-year repayment period presented to consumers nationwide by LendingTree’s network partners in September of the given year for all loan amounts. Rates and other loan terms are subject to lender approval and not guaranteed. Not all consumers may qualify. See LendingTree’s Terms of Use for more details.
- Your home equity loan interest rate is based on your credit score, the amount of equity you own in your home, and your debt compared to your income.
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Home equity loan offer amounts on LendingTree averaged $144,429 in the first quarter of 2026.
Based on home equity loan offers on the LendingTree platform from Jan. 1 to March 18, 2026.
- Alternative loans with lower rates include cash-out refinances and HELOCs, while personal loans may be a good option but usually have higher rates.
Use LendingTree’s home equity calculator to find out how much your loan could be
How much does a $50,000 vs. $100,000 home equity loan cost each month?
How the costs break down: on a 20-year $50,000 home equity loan, you’d pay about $393 per month, whereas a $100,000 loan over the same term would cost roughly $787.
| $50,000 home equity loan | $100,000 home equity loan | |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly payment | $393 | $787 |
| Total interest | $44,409 | $88,818 |
| Total loan cost | $94,409 | $188,818 |
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Monthly payment comparison for a $50k vs $100k home equity loan
How home equity loan rates are trending on LendingTree and what this means for you
Interest rate vs. APR
The current average annual percentage rate (APR) for a 30-year, $100,000 home equity loan is 6.99%.
Home equity loan rates are relatively high right now, especially compared to the low rates we saw before the pandemic. Interest rates tend to fall when the Federal Reserve cuts the federal funds rate. But home equity loan rates have been going up in 2026 — a trend that’ll probably continue for now, according to LendingTree experts.
“The Fed’s rate increase means home equity loan rates are likely to rise,” states Matt Schulz
Even with higher rates, a home equity loan may still be a good idea if it can help you consolidate debt, cover an emergency expense or tackle a project that provides long-term value (like home improvements).
How is my home equity loan rate determined?
Credit score
The higher your credit score, the better your rate will be. Most lenders require a 620 minimum, but some require 660 or 680 for the best rates.
DTI ratio
Debt-to-income (DTI) ratio shows how much monthly income goes to debt payments. Lenders typically allow a 43% maximum, but lower ratios earn better rates.
LTV ratio
Loan-to-value (LTV) ratio compares your loan amount to your home’s value. A lower LTV gives you a lower rate. Most lenders cap this at 85%, but some offer high-LTV loans.
How to get banks to compete for your business with LendingTree
Shopping for a home equity loan shouldn’t mean filling out tons of applications. With one form, compare rates from our network of vetted home equity lenders — when banks compete, you win.
1. Tell us what you need
Take two minutes to tell us about yourself, your home and when you need the money.
2. Shop your offers
If you qualify, we’ll send you offers from up to five lenders from the nation’s largest lender network.
3. Access your home equity
You’ll choose the lender that fits your budget and needs and send in a formal application. They’ll send you the money for your home equity loan if you’re approved.
How are home equity loan rates different from HELOC rates?
Although HELOC rates are usually lower than home equity loan rates, home equity lines of credit often have variable interest rates. This means that, while home equity loans have stable monthly payments, HELOC payments are likely to change over time.
Consumers sometimes confuse home equity loans with home equity lines of credit (HELOCs), but they work very differently: A HELOC is a line of credit that can be used like a credit card. Like a cash-out refinance, both are loan options for pulling from home equity.
You can read LendingTree’s comparison if you’re unsure whether to choose a home equity loan or HELOC. Home equity loans and HELOCs usually come with the same eligibility requirements.
States where home equity shoppers report the highest home equity
Homeowners hold significant amounts of home equity, though levels vary by state. LendingTree analyzed approximately 967,000 anonymized home equity inquiries to identify the states where borrowers reported the highest levels of equity. Hawaii, California and Massachusetts topped the list.
Key findings
- U.S. households had $34.9 trillion in home equity as of the first quarter of 2026. In Q1 2026, the latest available data, households owned $48.7 trillion in real estate assets and carried $13.8 trillion in mortgage debt.
- Home equity shoppers in Hawaii reported the nation’s highest median home equity at $425,000, with 80.5% reporting at least $200,000 in equity. California and Massachusetts followed with median home equity of $350,000 and $345,000, respectively.
- West Virginia and Iowa reported the lowest home equity levels among shoppers. The two states had the lowest median home equity, at $130,000 each. Just 32.6% of West Virginia inquiries and 34.0% of Iowa inquiries reported at least $200,000 in equity.
States where home equity shoppers report the highest home equity
| Rank | State | Median home equity | % with $200K+ equity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hawaii | $425,000 | 80.5% |
| 2 | California | $350,000 | 76.8% |
| 3 | Massachusetts | $345,000 | 78.4% |
| 4 | Utah | $300,000 | 73.5% |
| 5 | New Jersey | $295,000 | 73.6% |
| 5 | Washington | $295,000 | 72.5% |
| 7 | Rhode Island | $285,000 | 75.5% |
| 8 | New Hampshire | $275,000 | 72.7% |
| 9 | Colorado | $255,000 | 67.2% |
| 10 | Idaho | $250,000 | 67.6% |
| 10 | Montana | $250,000 | 67.3% |
| 12 | Connecticut | $245,000 | 65.8% |
| 13 | Oregon | $240,000 | 65.7% |
| 14 | Nevada | $225,000 | 64.3% |
| 14 | New York | $225,000 | 63.0% |
| 16 | Arizona | $200,000 | 59.3% |
| 16 | Vermont | $200,000 | 59.2% |
| 16 | Alaska | $200,000 | 58.5% |
| 16 | Florida | $200,000 | 58.3% |
| 16 | Maryland | $200,000 | 57.5% |
| 16 | Maine | $200,000 | 56.8% |
| 16 | Delaware | $200,000 | 56.7% |
| 16 | Virginia | $200,000 | 55.5% |
| 16 | Texas | $200,000 | 53.3% |
| 16 | Minnesota | $200,000 | 51.2% |
| 16 | Georgia | $200,000 | 51.2% |
| 16 | North Carolina | $200,000 | 51.0% |
| 16 | Tennessee | $200,000 | 50.9% |
| 29 | Wyoming | $195,000 | 49.8% |
| 30 | South Carolina | $190,000 | 49.4% |
| 30 | South Dakota | $190,000 | 49.3% |
| 30 | Wisconsin | $190,000 | 48.6% |
| 30 | New Mexico | $190,000 | 48.3% |
| 34 | Pennsylvania | $180,000 | 46.5% |
| 35 | North Dakota | $170,000 | 46.3% |
| 36 | Illinois | $165,000 | 42.6% |
| 36 | Nebraska | $165,000 | 42.2% |
| 38 | Michigan | $160,000 | 40.8% |
| 39 | Missouri | $155,000 | 39.5% |
| 40 | Kansas | $150,000 | 39.7% |
| 40 | Louisiana | $150,000 | 38.0% |
| 40 | Alabama | $150,000 | 37.8% |
| 40 | Ohio | $150,000 | 36.9% |
| 40 | Indiana | $150,000 | 36.4% |
| 45 | Oklahoma | $145,000 | 37.2% |
| 45 | Kentucky | $145,000 | 35.8% |
| 47 | Mississippi | $140,000 | 36.6% |
| 47 | Arkansas | $140,000 | 35.4% |
| 49 | Iowa | $130,000 | 34.0% |
| 49 | West Virginia | $130,000 | 32.6% |
Research methodology
LendingTree researchers analyzed nearly 967,000 anonymized home equity inquiries submitted through the LendingTree platform between Jan. 1 and March 31, 2026.
Researchers calculated the median reported home equity and the share of inquiries reporting at least $200,000 in home equity for each state. Dollar amounts were rounded to the nearest $5,000, and percentages were rounded to the nearest tenth of a percentage point.
Researchers used Federal Reserve data to obtain estimates of total household real estate assets and mortgage debt.
While rising home values have helped many homeowners build equity, the amount available to tap through a home equity loan depends heavily on where you live. The average price per square foot for new homes has surged 74% over the past decade, from $97 in 2014 to $169 in 2024 — but this growth hasn’t been uniform across the country.
Geographic disparities are striking: in the West, prices per square foot more than doubled, growing 105% to reach $224 in 2024, compared to 63% growth in the Midwest, where prices reached $165. These regional differences mean homeowners in high-cost areas have accumulated far more equity to potentially borrow against.
For homeowners considering a home equity loan, this geographic lottery can mean the difference between accessing substantial funds for renovations or debt consolidation versus having limited borrowing power, even after years of homeownership.
Learn more about how a home equity loan works and the best ways to use a home equity loan.
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Frequently asked questions
- Higher second mortgage rates: You’ll typically pay a higher rate than you would with a HELOC or cash-out refinance.
- Tougher guidelines: You may need higher scores and lower debt to qualify than you would with a cash-out refinance.
- Reduced equity: You’ll lower your available home equity.
- Another monthly payment: You’ll have two house payments to manage each month.
- Foreclosure risk: You could lose your home if you default on your payments.
How long the process takes: it may take two to four weeks to close on a home equity loan, and you’ll usually receive your funds following a three-business-day waiting period after your closing.
Why rates vary: home equity loan rates are often higher than interest rates on traditional mortgages. Usually, the more you borrow, the higher your rate will be. Your credit score and loan term will also have an impact on the rate you’re offered.
Can you qualify with bad credit? Yes, it’s possible to get a home equity loan with bad credit, but you may not qualify for as much equity as you need or want. Lenders may reduce your maximum LTV ratio and charge you a significantly higher rate.
Mortgage lenders reviewed by LendingTree