WASHINGTON, DC — U.S. mortgage rates moved higher for homebuyers on Sunday, Aug. 30, 2026, according to Zillow lender marketplace data. The average 30-year fixed purchase rate rose 18 basis points from the prior week to 6.55%, while the 15-year fixed increased 3 basis points to 5.91%.
Other purchase-rate moves were mixed. The 20-year fixed stood at 6.46%, the 5/1 ARM fell 48 basis points to 6.26%, the 7/1 ARM was 6.11%, and VA loans were quoted at 6.11% for a 30-year term, 5.91% for a 15-year term and 6.02% for a 5/1 ARM.
What Zillow Reported
Zillow’s Sunday snapshot also showed refinance rates that were not identical to purchase rates. The 30-year refinance average came in at 6.51%, the 20-year at 6.48%, and the 15-year at 5.89%. The 5/1 refinance ARM was 6.19%, while the 7/1 refinance ARM was 6.41%.
For VA refinance loans, Zillow listed 6.07% for a 30-year term and 5.58% for both the 15-year and 5/1 options. Zillow said the numbers are national averages rounded to the nearest hundredth, so they are not tied to one city or one lender.
Why Rates Shifted
The market move followed a week in which fixed rates edged upward overall, even though the adjustable 5/1 purchase rate declined sharply. Zillow’s data did not point to one single trigger, but the broader pattern reflects how mortgage pricing can change day by day as lenders adjust to market conditions.
The comparison with last week shows the difference between terms. Longer fixed-rate loans moved up modestly, while some adjustable products fell enough to sit below nearby fixed options. Zillow also noted that refinance pricing can differ from purchase pricing, and that those gaps are common, though not guaranteed.
What Borrowers Can Check
For households comparing loans, the key takeaway is that the national averages remain in the mid-6% range, with a 30-year fixed still more expensive than a 15-year fixed in rate but lower in monthly payment. Zillow’s calculator also factors in property taxes and homeowners insurance, which can change the monthly total by a lot.
Zillow said borrowers can compare offers by getting preapproval from three or four lenders in a short period and by looking at annual percentage rate, not just the headline interest rate. The company also said borrowers with stronger credit scores, larger down payments and lower debt-to-income ratios tend to qualify for better pricing.
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