Compare 30-year fixed mortgage rates from 91 lenders in NC

A good rate for a primary, single-family home in for , and credit score is:

5.98% - 6.11%

Histogram showing 3 data points from 5.98% to 6.57%. Use Tab to navigate between segments, and Enter to select a bar.

5.98%6.13%6.28%6.42%6.57%

TrueRatefound 91 lenders for you

Rates updated Jan 8, 2026

Insights

Negotiate everything—rates, fees, and terms are not set in stone.

Portrait of George Robinson, TrueRate Data ScientistGeorge RobinsonTrueRate Data Scientist

Lenders with low rates in NC

TrueRate analyzed the rates lenders actually gave to buyers for the last three years and found only 8 lenders likely to get you a good deal.

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Insights

Negotiate everything—rates, fees, and terms are not set in stone.

Portrait of George Robinson, TrueRate Data ScientistGeorge RobinsonTrueRate Data Scientist

Lenders in NC likely to have high rates

We don’t accept advertising, so you can get the real lender story. TrueRate looked at 91 lenders and found that these 3 are likely to offer you a high rate.

LenderLender fees
Customer reviews
Mixed reviewsMixed reviews
Mixed reviewsMixed reviews
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Insights

Whether a lender has high margins or is simply inefficient and passing their costs on to you, the result is the same—you’ll likely end up paying more for your home. Our data shows that if you choose these lenders you will likely regret it.

Portrait of George Robinson, TrueRate Data ScientistGeorge RobinsonTrueRate Data Scientist

Lenders with average rates in NC

You deserve better than what these 80 lenders historically provide.

Don’t let lenders pull a fast one on you

Learn how really low rates often come with hidden fees. Drag the slider to see how rates and fees are connected.

5.98% - 6.11%

Insights

TrueRate compares lenders based on their 0 points or par rate. You should use this rate when comparing lenders.
Portrait of James McTernan, Tomo Mortgage Loan AdvisorInsights by James McTernanTomo Mortgage Loan Advisor - NMLS #1112719

TrueRate report

Buying a home shouldn’t feel impossible—see what’s driving buyer stress in 2025.

What is TrueRate by Tomo Mortgage?

TrueRate is a tool for homebuyers, created by Tomo Mortgage. It uses AI and analytical models to show you what a fair mortgage rate really looks like—your “true rate”—based on your unique financial situation and real market conditions. It strips out all the bait-and-switch pricing you see all over the internet, such as rates advertised with big point fees hiding in the fine print.

Instead of giving you a one-size-fits-all estimate, TrueRate calculates what rate you should be looking for that day, using the same kinds of data that lenders themselves rely on to provide their own rate information. We’re just making it all public for the first time. You’ll be able to see whether an interest rate offered by a bank, credit union, or mortgage company is low, average, or too high—before you agree to anything.

We believe in transparency. Here’s how we crunched the numbers.

See our TrueRate methodology

30-year fixed mortgage rates today, January 8, 2026

Right now, a typical 30-year fixed-rate mortgage falls between 6.11% and 6.38%. But if you’re shopping for the lowest possible rate, you’re better off looking for a rate below 5.98%.

This is based on our analysis of hundreds of thousands of real loans from over one thousand different mortgage lenders. Across the U.S., there’s only a few dozen lenders that offer homebuyers a “good” rate range on a 30-year conventional home loan within this range today.

To put these numbers in perspective, let’s take a typical buyer scenario. Say you have good credit (720 FICO score), and you’re buying a single family home that you’ll live in for $450,000 with 20% down. Based on today’s interest rates for a 30-year fixed rate conventional mortgage, your monthly principal and interest on a mortgage would cost:

Row headersLender ALender BLender C
Offered rateLow rate6.685%Average rate6.791%High rate7.931%
Monthly P&I payment$2,319$2,345$2,378
Costs after 10 years$278,330$281,373$285,412
Savings after 10 years$7,081$4,039

Monthly payments reflect principal and interest only. Taxes, insurance, and other costs not included.

You may see rates that look even lower than this in online ads or on some mortgage lender websites, but you’ve got to be careful. These offers often come with hidden costs like discount points or high origination fees.

To compare rates apples-to-apples, it’s best to find an APR that’s identical (or nearly identical) to the interest rate—this is sometimes called the “par rate” on a 30-year fixed rate mortgage.

Frequently asked questions

A 30-year conventional, “conforming,” fixed-rate mortgage is the most common type of home loan in the United States. It’s popular because it offers predictable monthly payments, a long repayment term (so that homes become more affordable to more people), and flexible options for homebuyers with solid credit.

There’s a good reason this loan type is so popular. A 30-year fixed rate mortgage has:

  1. Lower monthly payments.
    Because the loan is stretched over 30 years, your monthly payments are lower than they would be with a shorter-term loan.
  2. Predictable costs.
    With a fixed interest rate, your principal and interest payments stay the same every month. That makes budgeting easier, when compared to an adjustable rate mortgage or “ARM.”
  3. No mortgage insurance with 20% down.
    If you put at least 20% down, you don’t have to pay private mortgage insurance (PMI) — which saves money. Of course, most first-time homebuyers put a lot less down—as little as 3% downpayments on a 30-year fixed.
  4. Widely available.
    Most lenders offer 30-year conventional loans. They’re available for primary homes, second homes, and even some investment properties.

It’s a mouthful. Let’s look at what each part of the name actually means:

Loan Term: 30-Year

The loan is paid back over 30 years. This longer term keeps monthly payments lower, which helps with affordability—meaning you can afford a more expensive home, which can gain more in total value over time (i.e., if property values increase at about 5% each year, you’re earning more total value on a $800,000 property than a $500,000). While you’ll pay more interest over time compared to a shorter loan, the lower payments make it a good option for most buyers.

Loan Type: Conventional

This means the loan is not part of a special government lending program, like FHA loans, VA loans (for veterans and their families), or USDA loans (for farms). Private lenders like banks, credit unions, and independent mortgage companies usually offer multiple loan types, and in many cases a homebuyer could qualify for both a FHA and a conventional loan. Deciding which is right for you is pretty nuanced, so it’s better to chat with your loan officer about tradeoffs and run the numbers on total costs for both.

Loan Category: Conforming

This means the loan meets the rules set by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the two government-sponsored companies that buy most home loans from lenders. These rules include limits on:

  • Loan size (e.g., $766,550 or less in most areas in 2025); if you need a larger loan you’re in “Jumbo” loan territory
  • Borrower credit score
  • Debt-to-income ratio
  • Down payment size

If the loan meets all of these requirements, it “conforms” — and the lender can sell it to Fannie or Freddie, which lowers the risk and often results in better rates for borrowers.

Payment Type: Fixed-Rate

A fixed-rate mortgage means that you pay the same interest rate for the life of the loan. When interest rates are high, some people are drawn to adjustable-rate mortgages, which can offer a lower interest rate for the first few years, and then the rate changes over time based on market conditions. These loans are more risky—for example, if rates spike you might not be able to make your monthly payments—and that’s why most homebuyers opt for the more predictable fixed-rate mortgage.

To get this kind of mortgage, most borrowers need to meet the following basic criteria:

  • Credit score: Typically, 620 or higher
  • Down payment: As low as 3% for first-time buyers, but 5% or more is common
  • Debt-to-income ratio (DTI): Usually no more than 43–50%
  • Loan amount: Must fall under the conforming loan limit (which can vary by county)

The better your credit and the larger your down payment, the better your interest rate is likely to be.

You can get a loan with a shorter term (e.g., 15 or 20 years). You can get an Adjustable-Rate Mortgage (an ARM), which starts with a lower rate but can change over time. Or, you might qualify for a special loan program, such as an FHA loan or VA loan.

Still, the 30-year conventional conforming mortgage remains the top choice for most homebuyers.

Great time for home buyers in North Carolina

In 2023, mortgage rates in North Carolina, like much of the country, were on the rise. At the start of the year, rates for a 30-year fixed mortgage hovered between 6% and 6.5%. While these weren’t the historically low rates seen during the pandemic, they reflected the ongoing efforts to combat inflation, which continued to dominate financial headlines. Throughout the year, rates remained in that range, shifting slightly based on decisions made by the Federal Reserve.

By mid-2023, some mortgage rates even reached 7%, which marked a significant increase compared to previous years. For homebuyers, especially those entering the market for the first time, this rise in rates presented a challenge. Still, North Carolina’s housing market remained competitive. Cities like Raleigh, Charlotte, and Durham continued to experience strong demand. This resilience is largely due to the state’s relatively affordable cost of living and a growing job market, both of which continue to attract new residents.

As of late 2024, however, the outlook has improved. Interest rates have started to decline, offering some relief to prospective buyers—particularly those with strong credit scores. And while rates remain higher than during the pandemic, North Carolina home prices are still more reasonable compared to states like California. That means buyers aren’t facing the same level of financial pressure, even with higher borrowing costs.

For anyone looking to purchase a home in North Carolina, now is a promising time to explore options, take advantage of falling rates, and benefit from the state’s balanced mix of affordability and opportunity.