Some offers on this page are from advertisers who pay us, which may affect which products we write about, but not our recommendations. See our Advertiser Disclosure. Rates on home equity lines of credit (HELOC) and home equity loans remain mostly unchanged.
With growing demand for second mortgages, lenders will compete for your business. All you have to do is remember to shop and compare offers. Learn the differences between a HELOC and a home equity loan.
According to real estate analytics firm Curinos, the average HELOC rate is 7.24%. The 52-week HELOC low was 7.19% in mid-January. The national average rate on a home equity loan is 7.37%, with a previous low of 7.38% recorded in early December 2025.
Rates are based on applicants with a minimum credit score of 780 and a maximum combined loan-to-value ratio (CLTV) of less than 70%. As primary home mortgage rates rise over 6%, homeowners with equity and a low primary mortgage rate may not be able to access the increasing value of their home with a refinance. For those who are unwilling to give up their low home loan rate, a home equity line of credit or home equity loan can be an excellent solution.
Learn how to choose between a HELOC vs. a cash-out refinance. Home equity interest rates are different from primary mortgage rates. Second mortgage rates are based on an index rate plus a margin.
That index is often the prime rate, which is currently 6.75%. If a lender added 0.75% as a margin, the HELOC would have a rate of 7.50%. Lenders have flexibility with pricing on a second mortgage product, such as a HELOC or home equity loan, so it pays to shop around.
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