To conduct the National Average survey, Bankrate obtains rate information from the 10 largest banks and thrifts in 10 large U.S. markets. The rates shown above are calculated using a loan or line amount of $30,000, with a FICO score of 700 and a combined loan-to-value ratio of 80 percent.
Note: The above APRs are current as of May 14, 2025. The exact APR you might qualify for depends on your credit score and other factors, such as whether you're an existing customer or enroll in auto-payments.
National HELOC interest rate trends - May 14, 2025
HELOC rates record biggest jump of 2025, now above 8%
HELOC rates jumped 15 basis points this week, with the average $30,000 line of credit now at 8.14 percent, according to Bankrate’s national survey of large lenders. Even with this week’s rise, though, HELOC rates remain at a two-year low.
Home equity credit lines have variable interest rates that change based on the prime rate, which is tied to changes in Federal Reserve policy. At its latest meeting in May, the central bank kept the federal funds rate unchanged. The Fed could still deliver rate cuts this year, however, according to Greg McBride, CFA, Bankrate's chief financial analyst. For variable-rate HELOCs, that would translate to lower costs.
In addition to the Fed’s moves, HELOC averages can also change because one or more home equity lenders markets an especially generous rate for a promotional period. That’s one reason why it often pays to search around for HELOC offers, at least for a lower introductory rate.
“American homeowners will continue to sit on a mountain of home equity, but aside from short-term HELOC introductory rates, borrowing against it in 2025 will still be pricey,” McBride says.
Still, HELOCs are more attractively priced compared to unsecured personal loans, which currently average 12.26 percent, and credit cards, which average 20.12 percent.
If you’re looking to finance a renovation and have equity to tap, a line of credit could be less expensive than a home improvement loan. It’d also save you from a cash-out refinance, which could mean giving up a low rate on your mortgage in exchange for a new one.
A line of credit isn’t the only way to leverage your home’s equity. Another option: home equity loans, or second mortgages, which come with fixed interest rates. These have also been declining: As of May 14, the average rates for 5-, 10-, and 15-year $30,000 loans were 8.36 percent, 8.52 percent and 8.42 percent, respectively, according to Bankrate’s survey.
Your potential HELOC rate also depends on where your home is located. As of May 14, 2025, the current average HELOC interest rate in the 10 largest U.S. markets is 8.14 percent.
To conduct the National Average survey, Bankrate obtains rate information from the 10 largest banks and thrifts in 10 large U.S. markets. The rates shown above are calculated using a loan or line amount of $30,000, for a borrower with a FICO score of 700 and a combined loan-to-value ratio of 80 percent.