Home Equity Line of Credit Rates As Low As 5.95%
Based on offered rates for home equity lines of credit of at least $100,000 offered to LendingTree customers in May 2026. Excludes offers of fixed-rate terms.
Compare your best HELOC rate offers today on LendingTree — when banks compete, you win.
Average HELOC rates offered on LendingTree
| Loan amount | Average APR
Based on offered rates for home equity lines of credit for the respective loan amounts offered to LendingTree customers in April 2026 versus the previous month. Excludes offers of fixed terms.
|
|---|---|
| $25,000 to $49,999 | 7.74% (-0.04 percentage points) |
| $50,000 to $74,999 | 7.60% (-0.07 percentage points) |
| $75,000 to $99,999 | 7.54% (-0.08 percentage points) |
| $100,000 to $149,999 | 7.06% (-0.04 percentage points) |
| $150,000+ | 7.11% (+0.02 percentage points) |
- HELOC rates are typically variable, which means your monthly payments can fluctuate. Shopping around can help you find the best deal.
-
You’ll know you’re getting a good HELOC rate if it’s below or on par with the average, which is currently 7.28%.
Based on offered rates for home equity lines of credit of any loan amount and loan term offered to LendingTree customers in April 2026. Excludes offers of fixed terms.
- HELOC rates are generally lower than home equity loan, credit card and personal loan rates.
How much will my HELOC payment be?
Your HELOC rate and monthly payments will depend on various factors, including your credit line amount, loan-to-value (LTV) ratio, credit score and debt-to-income (DTI) ratio.
Average 30-year HELOC monthly payments offered on LendingTree
| Loan amount | Monthly payment | APR as low as
Home equity rates disclaimer: Rates are calculated based on conditional offers for both home equity loans and home equity lines of credit with 30-year repayment periods presented to consumers nationwide by LendingTree’s network partners in the past 30 days for each loan amount. Rates and other loan terms are subject to lender approval and not guaranteed. Not all consumers may qualify. See LendingTree’s Terms of Use for more details.
|
|---|---|---|
| $25,000 | $166.16 | 7.57% |
| $50,000 | $332.32 | 7.37% |
| $100,000 | $664.63 | 7.08% |
| $150,000 | $985.39 | 7.15% |
Your HELOC monthly payment also depends on whether you’re making interest-only payments or full payments.
For example, if you borrow $100,000 with interest-only payments during the 10-year draw period before the 10-year repayment period:
- Interest-only payments would be $607 a month;
- Full payment would be more than $1,100.
But if you make payments on both interest and principal during the entire 20-year period, your monthly payment would be $792 and wouldn’t change once your draw period ends.
Disclaimer
HELOC rate trends in 2026: Insights from LendingTree experts
Rates are expected to remain steady or potentially decrease slightly in the near term.
For homeowners, that means it could be a good time to consider a HELOC, especially if it fits in with your overall financial goals.
APR vs. interest rate
LendingTree’s expert insights: This summer may be a good time to get a HELOC
The average HELOC rate offered to LendingTree customers on a $100,000 home equity line of credit was 7.09% in April 2026, which is much lower than the 8.46% average in April 2025.
This shows how much HELOC rates have fallen since the same time last year, as noted by LendingTree’s in-house expert, Matt Schulz:
The Fed is likely done cutting rates for a while, meaning that HELOC rates’ recent downward trend is likely to slow. The good news, however, is that borrowers can still take advantage of rates that are significantly lower than they were a year ago.
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What factors affect my HELOC rate?
HELOC lenders may calculate your HELOC interest rate slightly differently, but the same general factors will apply:
A fixed vs. variable rate
Most HELOCs have variable interest rates that can change over time. The margin your lender charges and economic factors can impact your rate.
Your LTV ratio
Your LTV ratio can affect your HELOC rate. Borrowing less of your home’s value is likely to help you get you a lower HELOC rate.
Your credit score
Borrowers with an 800 credit score or higher tend to receive the lowest HELOC rates. However, some lenders will allow a minimum 620 score.
Your DTI ratio
Your DTI ratio measures gross monthly income versus monthly debt. Lenders usually allow a 43% to 50% max DTI ratio. A lower DTI ratio can help you get a better HELOC rate.
Tip: All HELOCs come with a “ceiling,” which sets a limit on how high your rate can rise at any time during the loan term.
Average HELOC rates by credit band
Homeowners with an 800 credit score or higher often get the best home equity line of credit rates, but many lenders only require a minimum 620 score to qualify for a HELOC.
While bad credit HELOCs do exist, it’s important to consider whether you can afford the more expensive monthly payments that come with higher interest rates.
| Credit score | Average APR
Based on offered rates for home equity lines of credit of of any offered to LendingTree customers in April 2026. Excludes offers of fixed terms.
| LendingTree expert tips |
|---|---|---|
| 800+ | 6.77% | A HELOC may be a good option for you now. You’ll most likely get rate offers well below the average market rate. |
| 740 – 799 | 7.07% | A HELOC may be a good option for you now. You’ll most likely get rate offers under the average market rate. |
| 670 – 739 | 7.65% | A HELOC could be a decent option for you. You’ll probably get above-average rate offers if you apply now, but rates have fallen considerably since earlier in the year. Still, you may get better rate quotes by taking time to improve your credit score. |
| 580 – 669 | 8.55% | A HELOC may not be a better option for you than a cash-out refinance. Cash-out refinance rates are lower than HELOC rates, so if you can cover refinance closing costs, a refi will likely cost you less each month. |
Get your free credit score and personalized credit recommendations with LendingTree Spring.
The best HELOC lenders of 2026
Best for high loan amounts: Flagstar Bank
- Homeowners who set up auto payments from a Flagstar deposit account may qualify for a 0.25-point rate discount on a HELOC
- Typically gets HELOC funds to approved borrowers within three weeks
- Only has branches in 10 states
- Has a 680 credit score minimum
- Comes with an ongoing $75 annual fee
Flagstar, a large regional bank based in New York, offers HELOCs ranging from $10,000 to $1 million. You’ll even have the flexibility to secure the loan with a primary or secondary residence. Just keep in mind their maximum LTV is still 85%, even with a higher loan amount.
You’ll have the best chance of qualifying for a mortgage with Flagstar if you have a 77% LTV ratio or better, according to nationwide data from 2024. That year, about 45% of approved borrowers had a debt-to-income (DTI) ratio below 40%.
Best for quick closing: Rate
- Fixed- and variable-rate options
- Multiple loan term options
- Physical locations in every state except Vermont
- HELOC rates not shown on its website
- Doesn’t disclose the minimum credit requirement
- Doesn’t offer HELOCs for loan amounts less than $20,000
If you’re looking for a speedy closing, you’ll likely appreciate Rate’s 100% digital application process and option to “FlashClose” — that is, sign all of your closing documents online. Guaranteed Rate boasts a five-minute application process and funding within as few as five days. That’s quite fast compared to the 14 to 42 days you could wait with a traditional HELOC lender.
You’ll have the best chance of qualifying for a mortgage with Rate if you have a 82% LTV ratio or better, according to nationwide data from 2024. That year, about 44% of approved borrowers had a debt-to-income (DTI) ratio below 40%.
Best for low closing costs and fees: Bank of America
- No closing costs, application fees or annual HELOC fees
- Existing Bank of America customers can get HELOC rate discounts
- Offers online, check-based and in-person pathways to access your HELOC funds
- Requires a 660 minimum credit score
- Lower loan approval rates for DTI ratios above 43% than other top HELOC lenders
- Doesn’t clearly explain its HELOC loan term options
As a national bank, Bank of America offers the convenience of accessibility — regardless of where you live or any changes life throws your way, you’ll likely be able to access a branch. And if you’re looking for a lender advertising HELOCs with no closing costs, Bank of America has that and more: they also charge no application fees and no annual HELOC fees. Plus, as icing on the cake, if you ever want to switch your variable-rate balance to a fixed rate, you can do that without paying a fee as well.
You’ll have the best chance of qualifying for a mortgage with Bank of America if you have a 59% LTV ratio or better, according to nationwide data from 2024. That year, nearly half (49%) of approved borrowers had a debt-to-income (DTI) ratio below 40%.
Best for high-LTV loans: Navy Federal Credit Union
- Allows CLTV ratios up to 95%A CLTV (combined loan-to-value) ratio is the percentage of your home’s value that’s secured by all the loans against it, including your mortgage and the HELOC you want. Lenders use it to see how much equity you still have available to borrow against.
- Doesn’t charge any closing costs
- Doesn’t charge any ongoing (annual) or inactivity fees
- Doesn’t fund HELOCs with loan amounts below $10,000
- Charges a higher rate for a HELOC with an interest-only option
- Doesn’t offer a fixed-rate HELOC option
You’ll have the best chance of qualifying for a mortgage with Navy Federal if you have a 75% LTV ratio or better, according to nationwide data from 2024. That year, about 42% of approved borrowers had a debt-to-income (DTI) ratio above 43%.
Best for fixed HELOC rates: Truist
- Offers fixed- and variable-rate HELOCs
- Offers significantly lower introductory rates for the first nine months
- Physical branches available in some states
- Charges a $50 annual fee for HELOCs in some states
- Also offers credit lines secured by investments, so you don’t have to put your home at risk to access funds
- Not available in all states
Truist allows you to take out a variable-rate HELOC — and, if you choose, you can lock in a fixed rate on up to five draws at a time (though you’ll have to draw at least $5,000 to take advantage of this option). Truist lends to customers in every state but three: Alaska, Arizona and Hawaii.
You’ll have the best chance of qualifying for a mortgage with Truist if you have a 61% LTV ratio or better, according to nationwide data from 2024. That year, about 23% of approved borrowers had a debt-to-income (DTI) ratio above 43%.
Read more about how we chose our best HELOC lenders.
HELOCs compared to other ways to access funds
- A home equity loan may be better for borrowers who want to fund a single purchase and prefer fixed monthly payments.
- A cash-out refinance can be a good fit for those looking to secure a lower mortgage rate and access a cash lump sum.
- A personal loan may work well if you don’t want to tie additional debt to your home.
If you’re still on the fence, here’s a breakdown of each option:
| Cash-out refinance | HELOC | Home equity loan | Personal loan | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Interest rate type | Fixed or adjustable | Usually variable | Usually fixed | Usually fixed |
| Rate competitiveness | $ | $$ | $$$ | $$$$ |
| Monthly payments | Stable, unless you choose an adjustable-rate loan | Will fluctuate | Stable | Stable |
| Typical loan terms | Up to 30 years | Five- to 10-year draw period and 10- to 20-year repayment | Five to 30 years | Two to five years |
| Mortgage type | First mortgage | Second mortgage | Second mortgage | N/A |
You’ll typically pay HELOC closing costs ranging from 2% to 5% of your credit line amount, though the fees will ultimately vary from lender to lender. Some of these expenses include:
- Appraisal fee. Some HELOC lenders require a home appraisal to verify your home’s value. Appraisal costs vary by location and property type (such as single-family or multifamily) but typically range from $350 to $800.
- Origination fee. This fee covers the cost of processing your loan application. It’s typically a flat fee or a percentage of your loan amount, such as 1%.
- Early termination penalty. Closing your account prematurely may result in early termination charges, typically ranging from $200 to $500. Some lenders may base the fee on your loan or credit line amount, typically charging 2% to 5%.
How to get a HELOC
Step 1. Make sure a HELOC is the right move for you
HELOCs are best when you need large amounts of cash on an ongoing basis, like when paying for home improvement projects or medical bills.
If you’re unsure what option is best for you, compare different loan alternatives, including a cash-out refinance or home equity loan.
But whatever you choose, be sure you have a plan to repay your loan.
Step 2. Gather documents
You’ll need to provide lenders with documentation about your home and finances, including your income and employment information, and any other debt you’re carrying.
Learn more about current HELOC requirements.
Step 3. Apply to HELOC lenders
Apply with a few lenders and compare what they offer in terms of rates, fees, maximum loan amounts and repayment periods.
Credit-scoring bureaus will likely treat your multiple HELOC applications as a single inquiry, as long as you submit all of the applications within a 45-day window.
Learn more about our picks for the best HELOC lenders above.
Step 4. Compare offers
Take a critical look at the offers on your plate. Consider total costs, the draw period and repayment period lengths and any minimums and maximums.
Step 5. Close on your HELOC
If everything looks good and a home equity line of credit is the right move, you’re ready to close on your HELOC. Make sure you can cover the closing costs, which can run up to 5% of the credit line amount.
How LendingTree chose the best HELOC lenders
We reviewed more than 40 lenders to determine our picks for the best HELOC lenders. LendingTree reviews and fact-checks our top lender picks annually by gathering loan program and requirement details directly from lenders and analyzing data from the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA) government database.
We review several key factors: digital application availability and ease of use, product and lending information accessibility, in-person branch footprint and LendingTree’s expert star rating.
LendingTree best lender criteria
To be considered as a potential best lender pick by LendingTree experts, the lender must provide users with an online loan application experience that is relatively easy to follow and complete.
This means the lender must provide a user-friendly website and make their customer service contact information easy to find online.
To qualify for “best lender” consideration by LendingTree experts, the lender must provide users with an online experience that helps borrowers make sense of the mortgage lending process.
This means the lender must provide free online learning materials to help homebuyers understand the lender’s offered products, basic loan qualification requirements and high-level rates information.
Lenders must offer mortgages in at least 35 states across the U.S. to be considered a best lender pick. This allows a wider range of users to potentially choose the lender for their home loan, improving accessibility when customers need to contact the lender or get a rate quote.
For lenders to qualify for consideration as a best lender pick, they must have at least a four-star lender review rating from LendingTree experts. This rating indicates that the lender meets most, if not all, of the five criteria considered when assigning ratings. Here is the LendingTree star rating system for this year:
- Publishes rates online (+1 star)
- Offers standard mortgage products (+1 star)
- Includes detailed product info online (+1 star)
- Shares resources about mortgage lending (+1 star)
- Provides an online application (+1 star)
LendingTree mortgage experts’ process for choosing the best lenders
LendingTree gathers data directly from lenders through their websites, disclosures and, in some cases, direct communication with company representatives. Lenders that clearly present product details and terms are viewed more favorably in our evaluation.
The LendingTree editorial team applies consistent criteria to every lender. We also verify and update information periodically. Lenders cannot pay to influence our ratings. Read LendingTree’s editorial guidelines for more information.
Why trust LendingTree’s methodology?
As the lead editor for all purchase, refinance and home equity content, I rely on my 14+ years of personal finance experience to manage a team of staff writers and contributors who create consumer-friendly guides.
Together, our team aims to make LendingTree a reliable and helpful resource for readers as they navigate the complex mortgage lending process.
