Compare Current VA Mortgage Rates
Comparing VA loan rates can save you thousands of dollars over the life of your mortgage.
Compare today’s VA loan rates
| Loan product | Interest rate | APR |
|---|---|---|
| 30-year fixed rate VA mortgage purchase | 5.97% | 6.15% |
| 15-year fixed rate VA mortgage purchase | 5.40% | 5.79% |
| VA 30-year 5/1 ARM mortgage purchase | 5.34% | 5.77% |
| 30-year fixed rate VA refinance | 6.04% | 6.34% |
| 15-year fixed rate VA refinance | 5.86% | 6.54% |
Average interest rates disclaimer
What factors determine VA loan rates?
-
Your credit score.
Typically, the higher your credit score, the lower your rate. -
Your down payment.
This isn’t as much of a factor with VA loans, since a down payment isn’t usually required for eligible borrowers — however, a higher down payment may result in a lower interest rate. -
Your mortgage term.
Your term is how many years it takes to repay your loan. You’ll usually pay a lower rate for a shorter term (like a 15-year mortgage versus a 30-year mortgage), but you’ll have a higher monthly payment amount. -
Your home’s location.
Mortgage rates vary from city to city and state to state. -
The financial markets.
VA loan rates change daily, based on a variety of economic factors. That’s why it’s important to gather all your rate quotes on the same day.
VA loan rates: Are they a good deal?
Do VA loans have lower rates than other mortgages?
Yes, VA loan rates tend to be significantly lower than what most borrowers are offered for conventional loans or FHA loans, as they’re guaranteed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
However, even if you snag a great interest rate, you should keep an eye on a VA loan’s total costs, which are represented by a loan’s annual percentage rate (APR). The VA funding fee, which is required for most VA loan borrowers, can push up your total loan costs and increase your APR. You can find APR information on Page 3 of your loan estimate.
Read more about the difference between an APR and an interest rate.
How to get the best VA loan rates
-
Improve your credit score.
While the VA doesn’t impose specific credit score requirements, individual lenders often do. You’ll likely need at least a 620 score to get a VA loan. Taking the time to repair your credit can help you qualify for a lower rate. -
Comparison shop.
Get a loan estimate from three to five lenders, and be sure to compare both APRs and interest rates. -
Buy discount points.
Also called mortgage points, discount points allow you to purchase a lower interest rate. One mortgage point typically costs 1% of your loan amount and reduces your rate by up to 0.25%. For example, if you bought a $300,000 house and were offered a 5.82% interest rate, buying one point would cost $3,000 and could lower your interest rate to 5.57%. -
Pick a shorter loan term.
A 30-year mortgage is typically the standard repayment term, but it’s also worth considering a shorter 10- or 15-year mortgage term. If you can afford the higher payments, you’ll save thousands in interest charges over the life of the loan. LendingTree’s VA loan calculator can help you get a handle on how different loan terms might impact your monthly payment. -
Choose a variable-rate loan.
If you’re truly on the hunt for rock-bottom rates, adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs) are an option that can help you get a VA loan at the lowest possible interest rate. That said, you’ll need to understand how ARM rates work and be prepared for the full spectrum of possible rates you could face when the loan starts adjusting.
Summary: The best VA loan lenders of 2026
| Lender | User ratings | LendingTree rating | Best for | Min. credit score (VA loan) | Rate spread
Rate spread is the difference between the average prime offer rate (APOR) — the lowest APR a bank is likely to offer any private customer — and the average annual percentage rate (APR) the lender offered to mortgage customers in 2024. The higher the number, the more expensive the loan.
| |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
(2624)
Ratings and reviews are from real consumers who have used the lending partner’s services.
|
Expert review from LendingTree.
| Overall VA lender | 580 to 640 | 0.87% | |
 |
(645)
Ratings and reviews are from real consumers who have used the lending partner’s services.
|
Expert review from LendingTree.
| Online experience | Not specified | 0.60% | |
 |
(4195)
Ratings and reviews are from real consumers who have used the lending partner’s services.
|
Expert review from LendingTree.
| Transparency | 620 | -0.12% | |
 |
(89)
Ratings and reviews are from real consumers who have used the lending partner’s services.
|
Expert review from LendingTree.
| Bad credit VA loans | Not specified | 1.28% |
Read more about how we chose our list of the best VA lenders below.
BEST OVERALL VA LENDER
- Editor’s rating:
- 5.0
- Provides a streamlined online process from application to close
- Publishes transparent information on rates and loan requirements
- Customer service available over the phone after regular business hours
- Interest rates are higher than many competitors’ rates
- Prequalification requires a hard credit check
- No in-person branches
Rocket Mortgage is one of the largest mortgage lenders in the game. It offers all of the essential VA programs: purchase, cash-out refinance and streamline refinance, also known as an interest rate reduction refinance loan (IRRRL). On top of that, military borrowers looking for a robust online loan experience will find that Rocket Mortgage offers an online application, rate information that’s updated regularly, detailed loan product information and resources to help you navigate the complex world of mortgage lending.
BEST RATE TRANSPARENCY
- Editor’s rating:
- 4.5
- Specializes in VA loans
- Lots of online tools and an app for aspiring homebuyers
- 24/7 customer service over the phone
- Not much information online about the other types of loans it offers
- Doesn’t offer VA renovation loans
- Limited number of branches in only 17 states
Veterans United specializes in mortgage lending tailored to the needs of military borrowers. And while the company offers conventional loans and other products that don’t require military service, the vast majority of its customers come specifically for a VA loan. The lender makes a variety of VA loan rate information available online and allows mortgage shoppers to tailor that information to their credit score. It also includes real data about the loans it has originated in the last 17 weeks, which gives shoppers real insight into what they can expect.
BEST FOR ONLINE EXPERIENCE
- Editor’s rating:
- 5.0
- Provides a streamlined online process from application to close
- Publishes transparent information on rates and fees and includes estimated monthly payments.
- Offers supportive and convenient customer service
- Interest rates are higher than many competitors’ rates
- Prequalification requires a hard credit check
- 252 branches in 9 states
With nationwide reach, Flagstar issues home loans in all 50 states, offering both VA purchase loans and VA streamline refinances (IRRRLs). But the company really shines with its online experience: Flagstar publishes rates online, offers helpful product information and resources about mortgage lending on its website and has a convenient online application. And if you think a stellar online experience can only be had with an online bank, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that Flagstar operates brick-and-mortar branches in several states.
BEST FOR BAD CREDIT
- Editor’s rating:
- 5.0
- Variety of loan products
- Mortgages available for borrowers with imperfect credit
- More than 15 years in business
- Doesn’t offer detailed information on its VA loan offerings on its website
- Doesn’t disclose mortgage rates online
The VA doesn’t set a credit score minimum for the loans it backs, but if you’re looking for a VA loan and have a low credit score, you’ve undoubtedly discovered that lenders often have a minimum. Carrington’s minimum credit score is set at 500 for VA loan borrowers, which is lower than many other lenders require.
VA loan eligibility requirements
Military veterans, active-duty service members and eligible surviving spouses may qualify for a VA loan as long as they meet the minimum service requirements and have sufficient VA entitlement. Head over to LendingTree’s VA loan guide to explore eligibility requirements in more detail.
To confirm your eligibility for a VA loan and see how much of your VA loan entitlement you have left, apply online for a certificate of eligibility at the Veterans Information Portal.
How LendingTree chose the best VA loan lenders
We reviewed more than 40 lenders to determine our picks for the best VA 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 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.
