Mortgage rates in District of Columbia
30-yr fixed 7.18% · Freddie Mac PMMS, week of Nov 5, 2026 · APR benchmark 7.19% (APOR for locks from Nov 9, 2026) · Last reviewed Oct 18, 2026 by the Editorial Team
The District uses the high-cost conforming loan limit given its home prices.
Mortgage rates today by loan type
These are national averages. Lenders in District of Columbia price off the same national market, so treat them as a benchmark: your quote depends on your credit, down payment, loan size and points. The APR benchmark folds in typical points and fees, so it shows what a prime borrower's APR looks like this week.
| Loan type | Avg rate | APR benchmarkAPOR | Source · as of | What it measures |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30-year fixed | 7.18% | 7.19% | Freddie Mac PMMSNov 5, 2026 | Conventional purchase loans, 20% down, strong credit; weekly survey |
| 20-year fixed | 6.66% | 6.93% | Zillow (via NerdWallet)Nov 6, 2026 | Lender-quoted average; checked by hand every two weeks |
| 15-year fixed | 6.57% | 6.67% | Freddie Mac PMMSNov 5, 2026 | Conventional purchase loans, 20% down, strong credit; weekly survey |
| 10-year fixed | 6.31% | 6.82% | Zillow (via NerdWallet)Nov 6, 2026 | Lender-quoted average; checked by hand every two weeks |
| 5-year ARM | 6.73% | 6.67% | Zillow (via NerdWallet)Nov 6, 2026 | Fixed for 5 years, then adjusts; APOR = prime ARM benchmark |
| 7-year ARM | — | 6.50% | APOR, locks from Nov 9, 2026 | No free rate series; APOR benchmark only |
| 10-year ARM | — | 6.63% | APOR, locks from Nov 9, 2026 | No free rate series; APOR benchmark only |
| FHA 30-year | 6.89% | — | Optimal Blue OBMMINov 5, 2026 | Locked FHA loans, all credit profiles; daily |
| VA 30-year | 6.71% | — | Optimal Blue OBMMINov 5, 2026 | Locked VA loans; daily |
| USDA 30-year | 6.86% | — | Optimal Blue OBMMINov 5, 2026 | Locked USDA loans; daily |
| Jumbo 30-year | 7.25% | — | Optimal Blue OBMMINov 5, 2026 | Locked loans above the conforming limit; daily |
APR benchmark = FFIEC/CFPB Average Prime Offer Rate for rate locks in the week starting Nov 9, 2026 (published in advance): a prime borrower's APR including typical points and fees. It is not a quote; your APR depends on credit, down payment and the points you pay. APOR is not published for FHA, VA, USDA or jumbo loans.
Calculate your District of Columbia mortgage payment
The calculator starts from the U.S. median list price, 20% down, the state's 0.57% effective property tax, its median insurance premium and its average closing costs. Switch to FHA or VA, change the down payment, or pick your county to set its conforming limit. For the month-by-month split of principal and interest, open the amortization table. To see how District of Columbia's property tax and insurance compare with every other state, try the PITI calculator by state.
District of Columbia vs. the U.S.
Our state price series has no separate District of Columbia median, so payments on this page use the U.S. median list price; the rows below show where District of Columbia still differs from the country. Home values slipped 0.6% over the latest year; when values fall, a small down payment leaves little equity cushion, which is worth weighing before stretching to 3% down. Five-year price growth here was the slowest of 51 jurisdictions.
| Measure | District of Columbia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Average home-purchase loanHMDA 2025 | $722,828 | $404,828 |
| Average closing costsincl. transfer taxes | $17,545 | $4,661 |
| Median conventional rate paid2025 purchase loans | 6.50% | 6.50% |
| Mortgage approval rateHMDA 2025 | 75.5% | 76.6% |
| Home values, 1 yearFHFA index, Q2 2026 | −0.6% | +3.0% |
| Home values, 5 yearsFHFA index, Q2 2026 | +4.2% | +41.3% |
What District of Columbia borrowers actually paid in 2025
This is the state-specific part. Federal HMDA records show the rate and costs on every District of Columbia home-purchase loan closed in 2025. We compare like with like: 30-year fixed, first-lien, one-unit primary homes. On conventional loans, District of Columbia borrowers paid 0.10 percentage points below the market benchmark at lock, the 4th-lowest of all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
| 2025 purchase loans | Median rateDC · U.S. | Over benchmarkDC · U.S. | Closing costsDC · U.S. | Paid pointsshare of loans | Median downequity on refis · DC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conventional 30-yr fixed (conforming, 20%+ down)1,432 loans | 6.50%6.50% | −0.10+0.02 | $6,581$5,476 | 41.4%53.2% | 25% |
| Jumbo 30-yr fixed (20%+ down)118 loans | 6.38%6.63% | −0.24+0.00 | $10,344$10,251 | 26.3%38.4% | 20% |
| FHA 30-yr fixed243 loans | 6.38%6.25% | +0.48+0.42 | $17,652$11,291 | 64.2%59.3% | 3.5% |
| VA 30-yr fixed297 loans | 6.13%6.13% | −0.42−0.36 | $12,916$6,554 | 37.4%59.3% | 0% |
| Conventional rate-and-term refinance271 loans | 6.13%6.38% | −0.15−0.06 | $4,828$4,390 | 27.3%45.4% | 30.7% |
Source: 2025 HMDA loan-level records (FFIEC/CFPB), medians. "Over benchmark" = rate spread, the APR minus APOR on the lock date, which removes the effect of when each loan locked. Closing costs = total loan costs on the Closing Disclosure. HMDA has no credit scores, so these are what borrowers paid, not what you will be offered. See the lenders active in District of Columbia and what their borrowers paid.
District of Columbia's biggest conventional lenders: what their borrowers paid
The 8 largest conventional lenders in District of Columbia by 2025 purchase loans, out of 297 that made one. Each row is the median for that lender's comparable loans here: 30-year fixed, conforming, 20% or more down. A lower figure over the benchmark means cheaper pricing for the same week.
| Lender | 2025 loansshare in DC | Median rate | Over benchmark | Originationmedian | Paid pointsshare · median | Median down |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First Savings Mortgage Corporation | 3677.8% | 6.50% | −0.06 | $1,590 | 30%$3,309 | 25% |
| Citibank, National Association | 2365% | 6.13% | −0.55 | $1,490 | 25%$2,408 | 21.7% |
| First Home Mortgage Corporation | 2274.8% | 6.75% | +0.10 | $5,633 | 77%$5,115 | 20.1% |
| Chase | 2094.4% | 6.50% | −0.17 | $1,490 | 42%$2,551 | 21% |
| Prosperity Home Mortgage | 1593.4% | 6.63% | +0.03 | $1,781 | 51%$3,003 | 23.1% |
| Rocket Mortgage | 1352.9% | 6.38% | −0.15 | $3,412 | 71%$3,535 | 24% |
| Guaranteed Rate (Rate) | 1212.6% | 6.58% | −0.03 | $1,640 | 43%$1,432 | 25% |
| Atlantic Coast Mortgage, LLC | 1152.4% | 6.63% | −0.00 | $1,570 | 46%$4,590 | 25% |
Source: 2025 HMDA loan-level records (FFIEC/CFPB), lenders with at least 30 comparable loans in District of Columbia. Minimum credit scores are not shown here: conventional loans usually start at 620 (a lender floor; Fannie Mae's automated underwriting sets none), FHA 580 (500 with 10% down), VA none set by VA (lenders often 620). HMDA has no credit scores, so a lender's medians reflect its own mix of borrowers. FHA and VA lenders: District of Columbia lender rankings.
How rates have moved
Weekly national averages over the past 30 days to 5 years. The 30- and 15-year lines are Freddie Mac average rates; the ARM lines are the APOR APR benchmark, because no free weekly ARM rate series exists.
- Now
- 7.18%
- Nov 5, 2026
- 1 week ago
- 7.24%
- −0.06 pts
- 1 month ago
- 7.40%
- −0.22 pts
- 1 year ago
- 6.22%
- +0.96 pts
30-year fixed: Freddie Mac PMMS (rate), weekly. National series.
What a mortgage costs in District of Columbia
On a home at the U.S. median list price of $415,000 with 20% down, the financed amount is $332,000, or about $2,249 a month in principal and interest at the 7.18% 30-year average.
What makes District of Columbia different is the cost around the loan. Its 0.57% effective property-tax rate adds roughly $197 a month, and homeowners insurance — at the state's median 0.16% of home value — about $55 more, bringing the all-in estimate to $2,502. That figure is principal and interest at the 30-year average, property tax and insurance; at 20% down a conventional loan has no PMI, and HOA dues or local special assessments are not included. Your own price and down payment will move the number — work backward from your income with the how-much-house calculator.
Payment at the $415,000 U.S. median list price by down payment and loan type
| Loan | Rate | Monthlyall-in | Mortgage ins. | Cash to close | Income needed28% rule · yearly |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conventional, 20% downNo PMI | 7.18%Freddie Mac 30-yr avg | $2,502P&I $2,249 | — | $100,545 | $107,000 |
| Conventional, 10% downPMI est. 0.7%/yr | 7.18%Freddie Mac 30-yr avg | $3,001P&I $2,530 | $218 | $59,045 | $129,000 |
| Conventional, 5% downPMI est. 0.7%/yr | 7.18%Freddie Mac 30-yr avg | $3,153P&I $2,671 | $230 | $38,295 | $135,000 |
| Conventional, 3% downPMI est. 0.7%/yr | 7.18%Freddie Mac 30-yr avg | $3,214P&I $2,727 | $235 | $29,995 | $138,000 |
| FHA, 3.5% down1.75% upfront MIP financed + annual MIP | 6.89%OBMMI FHA avg | $3,117P&I $2,681 | $184 | $32,070 | $134,000 |
| VA, 0% down2.15% funding fee financed; no monthly MI | 6.71%OBMMI VA avg | $2,991P&I $2,738 | — | $17,545 | $128,000 |
Monthly = principal and interest + property tax (0.57% effective) + homeowners insurance (about $55/mo — District of Columbia's median premium, 0.16% of home value) + mortgage insurance. HOA dues and local special assessments are not included. Cash to close = down payment + District of Columbia's average closing costs ($17,545). PMI is an illustrative 0.7% a year; FHA and VA figures use HUD's MIP schedule and VA's first-use funding fee. Income needed = the gross yearly income at which the monthly figure is 28% of pay, the classic housing-cost guideline. Lenders also limit your total monthly debts as a share of income, so car, student-loan and card payments raise the income you need.
What's different about buying a home in District of Columbia
Rates are national, but the rules around the loan are not. These District of Columbia specifics can change your payment, your closing or your protections as a borrower.
Homestead Deduction cuts assessed value $91,950
The Homestead Deduction cuts the assessed value of an owner-occupied D.C. home by $91,950 for tax year 2026. You have to apply: an approved application filed October 1 to March 31 covers the full tax year, while one filed April 1 to September 30 gets half the benefit on the second-half bill.
Source: otr.cfo.dc.govAssessment cap credit depends on Homestead Deduction
D.C.'s Assessment Cap Credit limits taxation to a 10 percent increase in assessed value each year and applies automatically only to homes receiving the Homestead Deduction. A buyer keeps the seller's credit only for the tax half of the purchase; after a Homestead application, the buyer's own credit generally follows within 1 year.
Source: otr.cfo.dc.govForeclosure mediation precedes any D.C. power of sale
After a notice of default on a D.C. residential mortgage, the lender must engage in mediation if the borrower elects it, and the power of sale cannot be exercised until the Mediation Administrator issues a mediation certificate. The borrower must return the election form and fee within 30 days of mailing or forfeit mediation.
Source: code.dccouncil.govSeller disclosure statement and 5-day termination right
D.C. sellers of covered homes must deliver a signed disclosure statement before or when the buyer signs the purchase agreement. If it arrives later, the buyer has 5 calendar days after receipt to terminate, but only until the buyer submits a written mortgage application, if the lender discloses that in writing.
Source: code.dccouncil.govTenants get first chance to buy rental buildings
D.C. law says tenants in a building up for sale must be offered the first opportunity to buy it, a right known as TOPA. Most single-family dwellings are exempt, but owners must still give tenants notice within three calendar days of receiving an offer. Buyers of tenant-occupied buildings should ask how TOPA applies.
Source: dhcd.dc.govChecked against official sources on October 20, 2026. Laws and programs change; confirm details with the agency named or a local real estate attorney.
How District of Columbia buyers finance their homes
District of Columbia leans conventional: 88.4% of 2025 originations were conventional loans (U.S. 78.0%), while FHA made up 5.5% and VA 6.1% — below the national 13.2% and 8.2%. Government-backed loans are still widely available; they are simply a smaller slice of what borrowers here choose.
| Loan type | Share in DC | U.S. share | Approval in DC | Avg loan in DC |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conventional | 88.4% | 78.0% | 75.3% | $771,104 |
| FHA | 5.5% | 13.2% | 69.8% | $506,677 |
| VA | 6.1% | 8.2% | 84.2% | $702,193 |
| USDA | 0.0% | 0.6% | 100.0% | $85,000 |
The average District of Columbia home loan in 2025 was $752,391 — 113% above the U.S. average of $352,861, the largest of 51 jurisdictions. Home purchases accounted for 68.0% of those loans (U.S. 64.2%); cash-out refinances for 13.6% (U.S. 17.1%), a sign that fewer owners here borrowed against their equity.
Source: 2025 HMDA originations, FFIEC/CFPB. Approval = originated ÷ (originated + denied).
District of Columbia loan limits for 2026
In District of Columbia the 2026 one-unit conforming limit is $1,249,125 in every county — well above the $832,750 national baseline. Loans up to that amount still count as conforming, not jumbo. See the full national grid in our 2026 conforming limits table, and if you are over the line, what changes with jumbo mortgage rates.
County limits: FHFA 2026 conforming loan limit list (one-unit properties; two- to four-unit limits are higher).
Cash you'll need to close in District of Columbia
Average closing costs in District of Columbia are about $17,545 including transfer taxes (among the highest in the country). On a home at the U.S. median list price of $415,000:
| 20% down | 3% down | |
|---|---|---|
| Down payment | $83,000 | $12,450 |
| Average closing costs | $17,545 | $17,545 |
| Cash to close (estimate) | $100,545 | $29,995 |
Prepaid taxes and insurance are extra. Closing-cost averages by state (source: Bankrate).
Transfer taxes and recording rules in District of Columbia
DC charges a recordation tax (paid by the buyer) and a transfer tax (paid by the seller), each 1.1% on homes under $400,000 and 1.45% of the entire price at $400,000 or more. Eligible first-time DC homebuyers can apply for a reduced 0.725% recordation rate on Form ROD 11, filed when the deed is recorded. Source: otr.cfo.dc.gov
Getting approved in District of Columbia
Federal HMDA lending records show District of Columbia lenders originated 9,300 home loans in 2025 and denied 3,026 applications — an approval rate near 75.5% among decisioned applications, against 76.6% nationwide. See how all 50 states compare in our state approval-rate study, and how District of Columbia ranks for mortgage complaint patterns (2,389 on record).
Shopping for a loan? See the most active mortgage lenders in District of Columbia, ranked by federal HMDA volume.
Down-payment help in District of Columbia
You rarely need 20% down. These are the main programs from DCHFA, District of Columbia's housing finance agency; they are offered through participating lenders, usually alongside the agency's own first mortgage.
Home Purchase Assistance Program (HPAP)
Gap financing of up to $202,000 plus up to $4,000 for closing costs for first-time buyers earning up to 110% of area median income, run by DC's Department of Housing and Community Development. Lower-income households make no payments; moderate-income households start principal-only payments in year six.
Source: dhcd.dc.govDC Open Doors
DCHFA's first-mortgage program with a deferred 0% down-payment loan sized to your required minimum down payment; open to repeat buyers as well, with a 640 minimum credit score.
Source: dchfa.orgChecked against official sources on October 9, 2026. Assistance amounts, income limits and funding change during the year — confirm current terms with DCHFA or a participating lender.
District of Columbia's MCC program: closed since September 27, 2022
DCHFA stopped taking new MCC reservations on September 27, 2022, when its MCC funds ran out; its MCC page still says the program is closed. Which states still issue MCCs.
Check current terms at DCHFA, see how a smaller down payment changes your number with the down payment tool, or compare first-time buyer programs nationwide.
How these numbers are measured
- Freddie Mac PMMS (30- and 15-year): a weekly average of rates offered to borrowers with 20% down and strong credit, published Thursdays; latest week Nov 5, 2026. Points are not reported.
- Optimal Blue OBMMI (FHA, VA, USDA, jumbo): daily averages of rates actually locked, across credit profiles. Points vary by loan.
- APOR (APR benchmark): FFIEC/CFPB's weekly Average Prime Offer Rate, an APR that includes typical points and fees for a prime borrower. Regulators use it to flag higher-priced loans.
- HMDA 2025 (District of Columbia vs U.S.): rates, costs, points and down payments on loans that actually closed, reported by lenders to federal regulators. Updated once a year.
- Census ACS 2024 (property tax and insurance): what homeowners with a mortgage in District of Columbia reported paying — the median real-estate tax divided by the median home value, and the median insurance premium as a share of value. Updated once a year.
- Interest rate vs APR: the rate sets your payment; the APR adds points and lender fees spread over the loan. Compare APRs on Loan Estimates for the same day and loan type.
Rates and APOR refresh every week; HMDA, loan limits and closing-cost averages refresh when their publishers release new data. Reviewed by our editors. Full sources and formulas: how we source our data.
District of Columbia mortgage FAQ
What is a good mortgage rate in District of Columbia right now?
A 30-year fixed close to the national average of 7.18% (Freddie Mac, week of Nov 5, 2026) is a fair benchmark for a borrower with strong credit and 20% down. In 2025, District of Columbia's conventional buyers paid a median 6.50%.
Quotes well above that usually reflect lower credit, a small down payment or lender credits taken in exchange for a higher rate.
Are mortgage rates higher in the District of Columbia than elsewhere in the country?
No, if anything slightly lower, once timing and fees are counted. In 2025 HMDA records, the District's median conventional 30-year rate was 6.50%, against 6.50% nationally.
Against the benchmark for each loan's lock week, which counts points and fees, the District's loans priced 0.10 percentage points below it (the 4th-lowest of all 50 states and the District of Columbia), against 0.02 above nationally.
Rates are set mainly in one national market, so your credit, down payment and loan size matter more.
What are current jumbo mortgage rates in District of Columbia?
The national jumbo 30-year average is 7.25% (Optimal Blue). In 2025, District of Columbia's jumbo buyers paid a median 6.38%. A loan is jumbo above the $832,750 conforming limit, or above $1,249,125 in District of Columbia's highest-cost counties.
Jumbo lenders typically want 10–20% down, a 700+ credit score and 6–12 months of reserves.
Should I choose a 15-year or 30-year mortgage?
On a $332,000 loan (20% down on the U.S. median price), a 30-year at 7.18% costs $2,249 a month and a 15-year at 6.57% costs $2,905.
The 15-year saves about $286,794 in interest but needs $656 more a month, so it fits only if that payment is comfortable.
How much does a 1% difference in mortgage rates change my monthly payment?
On a $332,000 loan (20% down on the U.S. median price), moving from 7.18% to 8.18% raises the principal-and-interest payment from $2,249 to $2,478, or $229 a month.
Over 30 years that is about $82,369 more in interest, which is why comparing several lenders on the same day matters.
Are mortgage rates different for purchase and refinance loans?
Yes, slightly. In 2025, District of Columbia's conventional rate-and-term refinances closed at a median 6.13% and purchases at 6.50%, partly because refinances bunch up when rates dip. Refinances priced 0.15 percentage points below the market benchmark; cash-out refinances usually cost more. Your own pricing depends on credit, loan-to-value and points.
How much is a $400,000 mortgage at 7.18% interest?
About $2,710 a month in principal and interest over 30 years. In District of Columbia, a $500,000 home with that loan adds roughly $238 a month in property tax at the 0.57% effective rate, plus homeowners insurance. Over 30 years the loan costs about $575,506 in interest.
How much income do I need to buy a home in District of Columbia?
About $107,000 a year for a $415,000 home (the U.S. median; no District of Columbia price series) with 20% down, if the full $2,502 monthly payment, including tax and insurance, stays within 28% of gross income.
Smaller down payments add mortgage insurance and raise that figure; existing debts lower what lenders approve.
What down payment assistance is available in District of Columbia?
DCHFA, the state housing finance agency, runs Home Purchase Assistance Program (HPAP) and DC Open Doors, offered through participating lenders. Help usually comes as a grant or a deferred or forgivable second loan paired with the agency's first mortgage.
Amounts, income limits and funding change during the year, so confirm current terms with DCHFA or a participating lender before you apply.
- Freddie Mac — Primary Mortgage Market Survey
- FFIEC / CFPB — Average Prime Offer Rates (APOR)
- FFIEC / CFPB — HMDA data browser (2025 loan-level records)
- Optimal Blue OBMMI via FRED (FHA, VA, USDA, jumbo)
- FHFA — 2026 conforming loan limits by county
- U.S. Census Bureau — 2024 American Community Survey microdata (property tax and homeowners insurance)
- HUD — Handbook 4000.1 (FHA mortgage insurance)
Rates shown are national weekly averages for general guidance, not an offer or personalized quote. Payment estimates assume the down payment noted plus estimated taxes and insurance. Confirm current pricing with a licensed lender.