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FHA loan rates

On Tuesday, December 10, 2024, the national average 30-year FHA mortgage APR is 6.94%. The average 30-year FHA refinance APR is 7.11%, according to Bankrate's ... latest survey of the nation's largest mortgage lenders.

Current FHA loan rates

Since the pandemic, rates on FHA loans have bounced around — from less than 3 percent during the pandemic to 8 percent in 2023 to closer to 6 percent as of September 2024. The table below brings together a comprehensive national survey of mortgage lenders to help you know what are the most competitive FHA loan rates. This interest rate table is updated daily to give you the most current rates when choosing an FHA mortgage home loan.

Product Interest Rate APR
30-Year FHA Rate 6.90% 6.94%
30-Year Fixed Rate 6.80% 6.85%
15-Year Fixed Rate 6.14% 6.22%
5/1 ARM Rate 6.38% 6.38%
30-Year VA Rate 6.86% 6.90%

Rates as of Tuesday, December 10, 2024 at 6:30 AM

FHA loans vs. conventional loans

FHA loans can have lower interest rates than conventional loans, but they also have higher upfront costs. How do FHA loans compare to 30-year fixed mortgages? See the table below for an example of the costs associated with an FHA loan versus a 30-year fixed loan. Keep in mind that interest rates are dependent on the market and the borrower's creditworthiness.

  30-year fixed FHA loan 30-year fixed conventional loan
*Note: These mortgage interest rates are as of Sept. 20, 2024. The figures do not account for homeowners insurance, property taxes or other costs that might be included with your monthly mortgage payment. The FHA loan amount includes a 1.75% upfront mortgage insurance premium.
Home price $400,000 $400,000
Down payment 3.5% 5%
Loan amount* $392,755 $380,000
Interest rate 6.12% 6.21%
Monthly mortgage payment (principal and interest) $2,385 $2,330
Monthly mortgage insurance payment $112 $120
Total monthly mortgage payment (includes principal, interest and mortgage insurance) $2,497 $2,450
Total interest over life of loan $465,899 $458,745
Total mortgage insurance over life of loan  $40,442 $15,884
Total over life of loan (includes principal, interest and mortgage insurance) $899,096 $854,629

If you qualify for both a conventional and FHA loan, which should you choose?


Principal writer, Home lending

If you qualify for both, I’d almost certainly go for the conventional loan. FHA’s hefty mortgage insurance (MIP) includes 1.75 percent of the loan amount upfront, plus monthly premiums. FHA loans are a great option for borrowers with sub-700 credit scores and not a lot of cash for a down payment, but the downside is the MIP, which FHA charges because of the higher risk factor. If you can get a conventional loan, you’ll find that the private mortgage insurance (PMI) costs less and is easier to get rid of once your loan-to-value (LTV) ratio hits 80 percent. For borrowers who don’t qualify for a conventional loan, the smart move is to take the FHA loan, then refi into a conventional loan once your credit improves and the LTV ratio looks better.

Melissa Cohn

Regional Vice President, William Raveis Mortgage

FHA loans tend to have better rates but a hefty mortgage insurance premium upfront. Conventional loans have slightly higher rates, but if you put down 20 percent, there is no mortgage insurance. If you finance more than 80 percent, the mortgage insurance is cheaper than with an FHA loan. Knowing that rates are likely to move down significantly in the next 18 months, I would take a conventional loan with lower upfront fees. If you amortize the cost of the additional mortgage insurance and plan on refinancing when rates are lower, the conventional rate will end up being cheaper.

FHA loan requirements

  • FHA loan limits: $498,257 for a single-family home; higher in costlier counties and for multifamily homes
  • Minimum credit score: 580 with a 3.5% down payment, or 500 with a 10% down payment
  • Maximum debt-to-income (DTI) ratio: Up to 50%
  • Mortgage insurance premiums (MIP): 1.75% of your loan principal upfront; monthly premiums thereafter based on amount you borrow, down payment and loan term and type
  • Financial and work history: Proof of consistent employment and income

FHA mortgage insurance

FHA loans require borrowers who put down less than 20 percent to pay mortgage insurance premiums (MIP). Mortgage insurance costs add a meaningful amount to your monthly payment, so keep these costs in mind when you’re budgeting for a home.

There are two types of premiums: the upfront mortgage insurance premium (1.75 percent of the base loan amount) and an annual mortgage insurance premium (0.15 percent to 0.75 percent, depending on the loan term, loan amount and the loan-to-value (LTV) ratio). The annual premium is owed for the loan’s lifetime if your down payment is less than 10 percent; if you put down at least 10 percent, however, the premiums can be removed after 11 years.

FHA loan limits

Each year, the FHA updates its lending limits or the maximum amount the agency will insure for a given area and property type. These limits are influenced by mortgage market-makers Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac’s conforming loan limits. For 2024, the national ceiling is $498,257 for a single-family home, and up to $1,149,825 in high-cost areas.

Should you get an FHA loan?

FHA loans are aimed at certain types of borrowers. You might want to consider an FHA loan if:

  • Your credit score is below 700 (but above 580)
  • You have limited down payment savings (but enough to pay 3.5 percent, plus closing costs)
  • You don’t mind the tradeoff of higher mortgage insurance premiums for looser underwriting criteria
  • You’re a first-time buyer

Here’s an overview of the general pros and cons:

Pros of FHA loans

  • Low down payment requirement
  • Friendly to first-time homebuyers (includes those who have not owned a home for at least three years)
  • Financing for mobile homes and factory-built homes
  • May accommodate people who own the land where the home will be located and those who live in a mobile home park
  • Can lock in a low rate without a large down payment

Cons of FHA loans

  • Borrower required to pay two types of mortgage insurance: an upfront mortgage insurance premium (MIP) and an annual premium
  • Require that the house meet certain standards, which decreases buying options

How to get the best FHA loan rate

While FHA loan rates can sometimes be lower than the rates on other types of mortgages, there are still ways to ensure you get the lowest possible rate for your situation. These include:

  1. Work on your credit score. For the most competitive FHA rate, you’ll need good to excellent credit, though you can still qualify with a score as low as 580.
  2. Improve your debt-to-income (DTI) ratio. Generally, the lower your DTI ratio, the better your rate.
  3. Shop around and compare multiple offers. This step can save you thousands of dollars over the life of the loan. Consider the interest rate as well as the annual percentage rate (APR). The latter accounts for the lender’s fees. Be sure to read customer reviews on lenders as well for additional insight.

FHA loan FAQ

Meet our Bankrate experts

Written by: Jeff Ostrowski, Principal Reporter, Mortgages

I cover mortgages and the housing market. Before joining Bankrate in 2020, I spent more than 20 years writing about real estate and the economy for the Palm Beach Post and the South Florida Business Journal. I’ve had a front-row seat for two housing booms and a housing bust. I’ve twice won gold awards from the National Association of Real Estate Editors, and since 2017 I’ve served on the nonprofit’s board of directors.

Read more from Jeff Ostrowski

Edited by: Laurie Richards, Editor, Home Lending

I’ve spent five years in writing and editing roles, and I now focus on mortgage, mortgage relief, homebuying and mortgage refinancing topics. I’m most interested in providing resources for aspiring first-time homeowners to help demystify the homebuying process. In 2021, I earned a Poynter ACES Certificate in Editing. I have an MA in English. 

Read more from Laurie Richards

Reviewed by: Greg McBride, CFA, Chief Financial Analyst, Bankrate

Greg McBride is a CFA charterholder with more than a quarter-century of experience in personal finance, including consumer lending prior to coming to Bankrate. Through Bankrate.com's Money Makeover series, he helped consumers plan for retirement, manage debt and develop appropriate investment allocations. He is an accomplished public speaker, has served as a Wall Street Journal Expert Panelist and served on boards in the credit counseling industry for more than a decade and the funding board of the Rose Foundation’s Consumer Financial Education Fund.

Read more from Greg McBride