DriversRecommendedOutdated drivers can make a good PC feel brokenScan driver issues before chasing fixes manually.Scan NowOctober DealsAmazon USOctober deal check: compare before you payAmazon US: current deals, useful picks and tech finds.Check DealsClean PCRecommendedOne scan can reveal what keeps slowing WindowsLook for cleanup and repair opportunities.Run Scan×
Skip to content
The Finance Base
The Money Desk · Blog
Re:

Today’s HELOC and Home Equity Loan Rates: October 2026

As of September 30, 2026, the cited national HELOC average was 7.29%; home equity loan averages were 8.46% for five years and 8.56% for 10- and 15-year terms. Your offer depends on borrower and loan details.
From TheFinanceBase Team3 min to read
Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

The latest cited national average for a HELOC was 7.29% on September 30, 2026. Home equity loan averages that day ranged from 8.46% to 8.56%, depending on the term. These are survey benchmarks—not rates guaranteed to any borrower—and the home equity loan page reporting them was updated October 6, one day after this article’s October 5 date.

What are HELOC rates today?

Bankrate’s October 5, 2026 rate update reported a national HELOC average of 7.29%, based on rates as of September 30. Its displayed range was 3.99%–11.60%. Bankrate said the weekly average for a $30,000 line had risen by one basis point that week. The Bankrate Monitor series hosted by the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis also recorded 7.29% on September 30. See Bankrate’s HELOC rate update and the FRED series.

What are home equity loan rates today?

Bankrate’s home equity loan page was updated October 6, 2026. It reported September 30 averages of 8.46% for a five-year, $30,000 loan and 8.56% for both 10- and 15-year terms. The displayed ranges were 6.00%–10.49% for five years, 6.25%–10.54% for 10 years, and 6.51%–10.75% for 15 years. View Bankrate’s home equity loan rate page.

Product and term Average APR Displayed range Rate date
HELOC 7.29% 3.99%–11.60% September 30, 2026
Home equity loan, 5 years 8.46% 6.00%–10.49% September 30, 2026
Home equity loan, 10 years 8.56% 6.25%–10.54% September 30, 2026
Home equity loan, 15 years 8.56% 6.51%–10.75% September 30, 2026

Bankrate says its survey covers the 10 largest banks and thrifts in 10 large U.S. markets. The standardized borrower profile is a $30,000 loan or line, a 700 FICO score, an 80% combined loan-to-value ratio, and a primary single-family detached residence. Your offer can differ based on credit, location, amount borrowed, lender relationship, autopay, product terms, fees, and underwriting. Bankrate’s HELOC methodology.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
#1 Best Overall
Sale
Calculated Industries 3415 Qualifier Plus IIIx Advanced Real Estate Mortgage Finance Calculator | Simple Operation | Buyer Pre-Qualifying | Solves Payments, Amortization, ARMs, Combos, FHA, VA, More
  • 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 much more
  • 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

Advertised lender starting APRs are not personal quotes

Bankrate’s comparison table, current as of October 1, listed starting APRs including 5.99% at Fifth Third Bank, 6.99% at Third Federal Savings and Loan, 7.00% at Regions Bank, 7.31% at Connexus Credit Union, 7.39% at TD Bank, and 7.65% at U.S. Bank. These were advertised starting points for a specified borrower profile, not guaranteed rates for every applicant. The home equity loan page displaying them was updated October 6. Check the dated lender comparison.

Is a HELOC cheaper than a home equity loan?

In this snapshot, the HELOC average was below the listed home equity loan averages, but that spread alone cannot show which product will cost you less. Rates may apply to different structures, and your actual APR, fees, rate changes, and repayment schedule determine your cost. Compare personalized offers on the same borrowing amount and over a period that fits your plans.

Rank #2
Calculated Industries 3430 Qualifier Plus IIIfx Real Estate Calculator
  • 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, long-life battery, 1-year warranty

Choose based on how and when you need the money

  • Home equity loan: You receive a lump sum, which can suit a known, one-time expense. The rate may be fixed or adjustable, so verify the contract.
  • HELOC: You draw from a credit line as needed, which can suit expenses that arrive in stages. Its rate is commonly variable. Ask whether the lender permits fixed-rate conversion and what conditions apply.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau explains the distinction between a home equity loan and HELOC in its product comparison.

Compare the complete offer, not just its starting rate

  • APR and fees: Check origination and closing costs, annual or inactivity fees, introductory-rate duration, and any early termination or prepayment costs.
  • Payment structure: For a HELOC, identify the draw period and repayment period, and see how payments may change when repayment begins. For a loan, compare the term and resulting monthly payment.
  • Rate risk: Confirm whether the rate is fixed or adjustable, how a variable rate can change, and whether a HELOC has a fixed-rate conversion option.
  • Eligibility: Ask how the lender evaluates credit, available equity and combined loan-to-value ratio, loan amount, occupancy, and other application requirements.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Support on Ko-Fi

Borrow only what your plan and budget require

Both products borrow against home equity, putting the home up as collateral. A lower advertised or fixed rate is not, by itself, a reason to borrow the maximum available. Bankrate quotes Rich Chen, a spokesperson for Aven, saying: “With a lot of credit products, folks get into this trap of taking out the maximum, or biasing towards a home equity loan, for example, because they might be attracted to the fixed rate,” He notes that staged renovation expenses may instead be borrowed over time with a HELOC; that is an example, not individualized financial advice. Bankrate’s October 6 home equity loan rates page.

What’s actually slowing this PC down?

Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
Best Value
DECKLIT Battery and Solar Unique 120-Step Calculation Check 12 Digit 2 Line Extra Large Calculator Big Buttons and 5.5" LCD Display, Configurable Tax Rate Financial Calculator for Tax Calculations
  • Two-way Power Calculators Desktop: Use solar power or battery power,In the case of sunlight or light, it can also be used without battery (Provide 2 AA batteries, only 1 needed).
  • Unique 120-step Calculation Check with Memory Function:The calculator preserves the sequence of steps for each calculation, storing up to 120 individual steps. To review the calculation process, simply press the up and down arrow keys to navigate through the steps.
  • Large 2 Line LCD Display:Calculation paths and results are displayed in separate lines, big 5.5-inch LCD display with clear numbers from any angle.
  • Professional Financial Calculator: Set your own tax rate, tax calculation (price including tax/excluding tax).It perfects for taxes, billing, office work, and studying.
  • Large Calculator Good Size:The calculator sits smoothly on a desk, countertop, or table, making it easy to use and portable for quick and easy tax calculations.
Rank #4
Mortgage Calculator
  • Version 1.3 Feature
  • - Mortgage Calculator
  • - Amortization Schedule Table
  • - Affordability Calculator
  • - Chart and Graph
Rank #3
Homes.com Mortgage Calculator
  • Search for homes with 7 different calculators
  • Buy or rent calculator
  • Debt to income calculator
  • Monthly payment calculator
  • Refinance calculator

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.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

More post from the Money Desk

  1. The Money DeskBlogTheFinanceBase09 OCT 267 minMortgage Escrow FAQs: Taxes, Insurance, Shortages, and Refunds
  2. The Money DeskBlogTheFinanceBase09 OCT 265 minHow Mortgage Escrow Accounts Work and What Homeowners Pay For
  3. The Money DeskBlogTheFinanceBase09 OCT 265 minHow to Read a Stock Chart, Volume and Market-Cap Data
Recommended PC Tool
Recommended PC Tool
PC Slower Than It Used to Be?Free scan - under a minute
Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You DownFree scan - exact matches

Two free Windows tools

One Free Minute Could Fix That PC

Before you go - each of these free tools takes about a minute and tackles what quietly slows a Windows PC down.

Special offer. View Outbyte info, uninstall instructions, EULA, and Privacy Policy.