On January 5, 2026, published U.S. 30-year fixed purchase rates ranged from 6.01% to 6.556%, depending on the publisher and how it gathered rates. MortgageResearch.com reported a 6.18% market average, while Yahoo Finance, citing Zillow data, reported 6.01%; The Mortgage Reports showed a 6.556% sample rate from its lending-partner network. These are historical observations—not rates available today or a quote for a particular borrower.
Mortgage rates reported for January 5, 2026
The figures below come from different sources and methods. Purchase and refinance rates are shown separately where reported; they should not be treated as one standardized market survey.
MortgageResearch.com said its displayed averages came from RateUpdate.com and multiple providers. Yahoo Finance reported national averages attributed to Zillow and rounded to the nearest hundredth. The Mortgage Reports averaged daily offers from lending partners using sample borrower profiles and cautioned that those displayed rates may not reflect the broader market.
Why published rates differed
The 30-year fixed purchase figures above span 6.01% to 6.556%. That spread reflects different data inputs and methods, not proof that one publisher was necessarily wrong. One figure was a Zillow-attributed national average, another a multi-provider market average, and another a sample of lending-partner offers. Rounding, product labels and loan assumptions can also vary; the underlying borrower assumptions are not standardized across these sources.
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- Loan Amortization and Remaining Balances
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Other dated benchmarks and examples
Freddie Mac’s weekly average
Freddie Mac’s weekly average for the week ending December 31, 2025, was 6.15% for a 30-year fixed mortgage, down 3 basis points from the prior week, and 5.44% for a 15-year fixed mortgage, as cited by The Mortgage Reports. This is a weekly benchmark with a different observation period from January 5 daily or partner-network rates.
A California sample quote
A California Zillow Home Loans page dated January 5 displayed sample rates of 5.990% for a 30-year fixed mortgage and 5.375% for a 15-year fixed mortgage. Its 30-year example showed a 6.168% APR and 1.880 points costing $5,170. This was a location-specific sample, not a national average or personalized offer.
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- CONFIDENTLY AND EASILY SOLVES: All your clients' financial questions whether they are buyers, sellers, investors or renters. Increase your perceived professionalism as a new agent, experienced broker or seasoned loan officer. Close more home sales and impress your clients with fast, accurate answers to all their real estate finance questions
- DEDICATED BUYER QUALIFYING KEYS: Enter client's income, debt and expenses to pre-qualify them to only show properties they can afford. Include tax, insurance and mortgage insurance then compare loan options and payment solutions to give your client choices before they make an offer to buy
- FIGURE OUT THE RIGHT LOAN: At the press of a button for jumbo, conventional, FHA/VA, or even 80:10:10 or 80:15:5 combo loans; check to see if ARMs or bi-weekly loans, quarterly payments or if interest-only payments are the answer; giving your client more choices; easily perform what if loan or tvm calculations Find loan amount, term, interest or PITI or PI payments
- BECOME AN INVALUABLE RESOURCE: Reduce your clients' confusion and uncertainty; ensuring they are able to make a purchase offer; knowing they can afford the down payment; and determining which is the right loan for them. Date-math for listings and contracts too. Comes with a protective slide cover, quick reference guide, pocket User's Guide, and long-life batteries
How to compare a rate with an offer
A headline rate alone is not enough to tell you which mortgage costs less. For a useful comparison, line up the details that shape the loan and its upfront cost:
- Term: Compare the same repayment period, such as 15, 20 or 30 years.
- Rate type: Match fixed-rate loans with fixed-rate loans; for an ARM, compare the initial fixed period, such as 5/1 or 7/1.
- Purpose and program: Keep purchase and refinance quotes separate, and compare the same loan type, such as conventional, FHA, VA, USDA or jumbo.
- Rate and APR: The note rate and APR are different measures. Check the APR alongside the interest rate rather than treating them as interchangeable.
- Points and upfront charges: Ask whether discount points or other costs are included. A lower displayed rate may come with more money due upfront.
- Location and property details: Use quotes for the same state and comparable property and loan assumptions.
- Your borrower profile: Credit history and loan-to-value ratio can affect the offer you receive. National averages and sample offers do not establish your personal rate.
For example, the California sample’s 5.990% note rate came with a 6.168% APR and 1.880 points costing $5,170. Comparing its note rate alone with a no-points quote would leave out a material part of the cost.
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- INSTANT FINANCIAL PROBLEM SOLVING: Solve the financial questions your clients have whether they are buyers, investors or renters; increase your perceived professionalism and close more home sales by quickly answering real estate finance problems including remaining balances
- RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE FINANCE TERMS: Keys labeled in residential real estate finance terms like Loan AMT, Int, Term, PMT; Calculator is super easy to use to determine a mortgage loan that works for your client
- VERSATILE LOAN CALCULATION OPTIONS: Calculate 80:10:10 or 80:15:5 combo loans at the press of a button; check to see if ARMs or bi-weekly loans, quarterly payments or if interest-only payments are the answer; giving your client more choices
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Choosing between a 15-year and 30-year mortgage
A 15-year mortgage generally pays down principal faster and can reduce total interest, but the shorter repayment schedule raises the monthly payment compared with a 30-year loan for the same amount. The better fit depends on whether the higher payment is manageable alongside other financial priorities. Compare actual loan estimates and total costs, not just the difference between published averages.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What these January 5 figures can—and cannot—tell you
They provide a dated snapshot of published averages and sample offers, not a single universal “today’s rate.” The figures are not a personalized quote, and the available source descriptions do not establish one normalized comparison across borrowers or lenders. For a decision, request quotes for your own circumstances and compare the same product, term, purpose, APR and upfront costs.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Extra large 12-digit angled display.
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Rank #4
- SPEAKS YOUR LANGUAGE: Keys clearly labeled in residential mortgage finance terms like Loan Amt, Int, Term, Pmt; this industry-standard calculator is super easy to use on all realty financing matters from finding a loan that works for your client to considering trust deeds investments, or finding remaining balances or balloon payments and more
- CONFIDENTLY AND EASILY SOLVE: Clients' financial questions whether they're buyers, sellers, investors or renters. Increase your perceived professionalism as a new agent, experienced broker or seasoned loan officer. Close more home sales and impress your clients with fast, accurate answers to all their real estate finance questions from PITI Payments to IRR, NPV and Cashflows
- DEDICATED BUYER QUALIFYING KEYS: Enter client's income, debt and expenses to pre-qualify them to only show properties they can afford. Include tax, insurance and mortgage insurance then compare loan options and payment solutions to give your client choices before they make an offer to buy
- FIGURE OUT THE RIGHT LOAN: For your client at the press of a button for jumbo, conventional, FHA/VA, or even 80:10:10 or 80:15:5 combo loans; check to see if ARMs or bi-weekly loans, quarterly payments or if interest-only payments are the answer; giving your client more choices; easily perform what if loan or TVM calculations find loan amount, term, interest or PITI or PI payments
- BECOME AN INVALUABLE RESOURCE: To your clients by reducing their confusion and uncertainty; ensuring they are able to make a purchase offer; knowing they can afford the down payment; and determining which is the right loan for them. Date-math for listings and contracts too. Comes with a protective slide cover, quick reference guide, pocket user's guide, and long-life battery
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
