On August 20, 2025, Bankrate’s national survey reported an average rate of 8.12% for a $30,000 HELOC, 8.23% for a five-year home equity loan, 8.38% for a 10-year loan and 8.26% for a 15-year loan. These are historical survey averages—not today’s rates, a forecast or a rate offer for an individual borrower.
Home equity rates on August 20, 2025
Bankrate’s survey used a $30,000 borrowing amount for each product. The comparison figures below are also from Bankrate’s report and describe prior periods or the preceding 52 weeks, not current lender offers.
| Product | Aug. 20, 2025 average | Four weeks earlier | One year earlier | 52-week average | 52-week low |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HELOC | 8.12% | 8.26% | 9.32% | 8.41% | 7.90% |
| 5-year home equity loan | 8.23% | 8.25% | 8.52% | 8.36% | 8.23% |
| 10-year home equity loan | 8.38% | 8.40% | 8.63% | 8.50% | 8.38% |
| 15-year home equity loan | 8.26% | 8.34% | 8.58% | 8.43% | 8.26% |
Within this snapshot, the HELOC average was 0.14 percentage points below the five-year loan average. That difference is a comparison of the surveyed averages, not proof that a HELOC would cost less for a particular borrower or over the life of borrowing.
What these averages can—and cannot—tell you
The survey amount and modeled borrower matter
The rates correspond to a $30,000 line or loan, not every possible borrowing amount. FRED’s description of Bankrate’s HELOC series gives a modeled profile that includes a 700 FICO score, a $30,000 line, 80% loan-to-value and an existing detached single-family primary residence. That series description is context for the HELOC benchmark, not independent confirmation of the August 20 observation: FRED’s Bankrate Monitor HELOC series.
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Your offer depends on your finances and property
Bankrate says an individual rate depends on creditworthiness and financial details, the home’s value and the owner’s equity stake. Lenders generally limit the combined balance of home loans to about 80%–85% of the home’s value, according to the report; that is a reported lender practice, not a universal regulatory cap. Approval and the amount offered are not guaranteed by the national average.
HELOC rates and home equity loan rates are not interchangeable
The table compares products with different names and loan terms; the percentages alone do not establish equivalent borrowing arrangements. Bankrate identifies Federal Reserve actions as particularly influential for variable-rate HELOC costs and also points to lender competition. Before comparing an actual HELOC with a home equity loan, check the lender’s quoted rate and whether it can change, the repayment term, fees, and any draw and repayment conditions. Those terms and individual qualification rules are not specified by the national averages, so obtain them directly from lenders.
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Put the rate in the context of repayment risk
A home equity loan or HELOC uses the home as collateral. A lower rate than unsecured borrowing does not, on its own, make borrowing a good choice: consider whether the payment fits your budget and whether you can repay under the lender’s terms. In Bankrate’s August 20, 2025 survey, the comparison averages were 20.13% for credit cards and 12.57% for personal loans, versus 8.12% for HELOCs and 8.23% for five-year home equity loans. Those dated figures do not establish that a secured loan is suitable for you.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What was forecast at the time
In the August 20, 2025 report, Bankrate’s Greg McBride forecast an average HELOC rate of 7.25% and a home equity loan rate of 7.90% for 2025, conditional on the Federal Reserve resuming rate cuts in the second half of that year. These were conditional forecasts made at the time, not observed outcomes or current predictions.
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Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Sources: Bankrate’s home equity rate report, published August 20, 2025; FRED’s Bankrate Monitor HELOC series description.
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